VIDEO: Montreal easily slips through porous TFC, Impact up 3-0 at break

Goals from 36-year-old Patrice Bernier - his first since September 2013 - the ever-dangerous Ignacio Piatti, and the irrepressible Didier Drogba, have put Montreal Impact firmly in the drivers' seat for a playoff win against its great foe Toronto FC, leading 3-0 at the half.

Concerns lay with TFC's defence from the off, with right-back Jackson looking particularly vulnerable.

The Brazilian went walkabouts and left his backline exposed on 18 minutes, who did not help themselves as their positioning was also so ineffectual they may as well have watched the Impact's advance through Piatti and goalscorer Bernier from the stands.

Piatti then took advantage of a slip from Josh Williams on 34 minutes, as the away side inexplicably tried to play its way out through its hapless defence.

Five minutes later, Drogba, who was hobbling around earlier in the tie, waited patiently as the ball passed several static red shirts before slotting in his 12th goal in 12 games.

Montreal's huge advantage at halftime has them on course to become the first Canadian MLS team to win a playoff game.