Aberdeen 7-2 Motherwell: Adam Rooney hat-trick inspires rampant Dons

Aberdeen recorded the biggest win of the Scottish Premiership season as they thrashed Motherwell 7-2 to move three points clear of Rangers in second place.

Adam Rooney scored a hat-trick on a memorable night at Pittodrie, with Jonny Hayes, Andrew Considine, Ryan Christie and Peter Pawlett also on target.

The result gives Derek McInnes' side a cushion over the faltering Gers, with this game in hand giving them the initiativec in the race to finish runners-up to champions-elect Celtic.

More than that, it was a real signal of intent from a side in great form as they scored seven for the first time in a league match since 1992.

Aberdeen went into the game having won seven of their last eight outings, their only blip in that run being a single-goal defeat to runaway leaders Celtic in Glasgow.

Otherwise, they have been in terrific form and after struggling to keep clean sheets earlier in the campaign, five in six games prior to this one suggested momentum at both ends of the park.

With the chance to pull clear in the runners-up spot, the hosts wasted no time in getting themselves in front as they took a lead after just two minutes through Hayes.

The winger, who had attracted two failed bids from Cardiff City in last month's transfer window, has been a key player for the Pittodrie side this term.

And he was on hand to drill a loose ball into the net after Shay Logan's knock down to Rooney was blocked by Stephen McManus.

Rooney, having gone four games without scoring, didn't appear to be lacking confidence as a result as he tried a spectacular overhead kick.

His attempt was off target - but more would come from him in due course and instead it was Considine who doubled the lead.

Christie had already gone close on a couple of occasions when defender Considine headed down past Craig Samson from Niall McGinn's corner and from there the floodgates opened.

Aberdeen quickly added their third, Rooney wheeling away in celebration after Keith Lasley's mishit clearance fell to Hayes and he squared to the scorer.

Christie then made it four as the Dons got their third goal in eight minutes, the on-loan Celtic midfielder caressing the ball into the top corner with the outside of his left boot.

With so much to do after the restart, things just got worse for Motherwell before a late comeback of sorts restored some kind of respectability.

Logan was brought down in the box, presenting Rooney with his second from the penalty spot before he completed his first hat-trick since 2014 when he bundled in another McGinn corner.

At last, Motherwell sparked into life but while they pulled two goals back, they came far too late to have any bearing on the final score.

Joe Lewis was too slack as he came off his line, allowing Ryan Bowman to head in a free kick, before Stephen Pearson scored his first goal since returning to Fir Park.

Curiously, the last time Aberdeen won a game 7-2, the result came against Motherwell back in 1972 - and they were to have the last word as they recorded the same scoreline once again.

With seven minutes still remaining, substitute Pawlett slid home after a third assist of the evening from Hayes.