HULL City romped to a stylish 2-0 win over rivals Leeds United this lunchtime to ensure they head into 2013 in the Championship's automatic promotion places.
The gulf in class was stark at the KC Stadium as second half goals from Corry Evans and David Meyler sealed a comfortable derby victory for the Tigers.
A sharper attacking edge could have seen City enjoy an even greater winning margin but the performance was as good as anything witnessed under Steve Bruce.
A fifth win in six games completed the Tigers' first league double over Yorkshire rivals Leeds since 1987-88 and consolidates their position of second ahead of travelling to Blackpool on New Year's Day.
The outcome rarely looked in doubt and City were the dominant force throughout a one-sided first half.
After Robert Koren failed to punish Alan Tate's weak header back towards goalkeeper Paddy Kenny when scuffing wide, two questionable challenges from Jason Pearce, one on David Meyler and another on Sone Aluko, both went unpunished inside the penalty area.
The visitors, who adopted City's 3-5-2 system, consistently struggled to keep the Tigers at bay.
Ahmed Elmohamady and Aluko, in particular, carved open Leeds almost at will but City could not find the goal to reflect their superiority.
Meyler dragged Elmohamady's pull-back wide while Brady fired over from another wonderful cross from the Egyptian. The same source sent a devlish ball into the six-yard box, but Robert Koren could not apply the finishing touch on the slide.
Leeds were swamped and grateful for the half-time whistle, but the interval failed to knock City out of their stride.
Three minutes into the second half and Meyler could have scored twice. Paddy Kenny's low save kept out the Irishman's shot after a rapid break led by Robbie Brady and Stephen Quinn, before Aluko's drilled effort across goal missed Meyler's toe by an inch.
If City supporters were beginning to fear the worst, their dominance finally paid off in the 52nd minute.
Another intricate passing move close the Leeds box saw Aluko and Koren slice open the visitors and set up Evans to fire low past Kenny from the angle.
It was nothing less than City deserved and within three minutes they lead was doubled.
Robbie Brady's pinpoint corner from the right flank picked out the run of Meyler and the on-loan midfielder finally got the goal his play warranted when dispatching a fine header into the top corner.
A season-high crowd of 23,453 lapped up the entertainment and urged the Tigers on for more. Quinn's shot from the edge of the box needed another strong save from Kenny but City could not pile further misery on Neil Warnock's men with a third.
