Saints 1-0 Dundee United

The only goal of the game came just before half time as Liam Gordon sent a low effort beyond Mark Birighitti following Andy Considine’s long throw-in into the United box.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men just after the hour mark as defender Charlie Mulgrew was sent off by referee Alan Muir for hauling down Melker Hallberg.

Saints had chances to extend their lead during the second half however, the Tannadice side almost snatched an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time as a ferocious volley from Steven Fletcher came back off the woodwork.

Today’s result moves Saints 5 points clear of Dundee United and Kilmarnock and 6 points clear of bottom side Ross County.

Next up for Saints is another home game next weekend as they welcome Motherwell to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Dundee United to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for their first post-split fixture. Saints were last in action a fortnight ago as they drew 1-1 with Hibs in Perth and Steven MacLean made three changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s Tayside derby. Ryan McGowan, David Wotherspoon and Connor McLennan all dropped out and they were replaced by James Brown, Graham Carey and Melker Hallberg. Dundee United defeated Livingston 2-0 at Tannadice in their final league game before the split and manager Jim Goodwin decided to go with the same starting eleven which started their victory against The Livi Lions.  

Jamie McGrath got the match underway for the visitors and the Tannadice side started on the front foot as both McGrath and Scott McMann had shots at goal blocked by the Saints defence in the first couple of minutes of the match.

On 12 minutes a loose cut-out by James Brown broke to Steven Fletcher however, Remi Matthews was alert to the danger as he palmed away the strike from the forward. The Tannadice side created another chance on 18 minutes as McMann’s cross from the left picked out Ian Harkes but the midfielder saw his header go wide of the mark.

PHOTO: Adam Montgomery gets away from Ilmari Niskanen

A great through ball on 21 minutes by Harkes played in Ilmari Niskanen and the Finnish winger broke into the box before switching the ball onto his left foot to unleash a strike at goal which was deflected behind for a corner by Andy Considine.

Saints were awarded a free kick in an inviting position 2 minutes later following a foul on Cammy MacPherson by Craig Sibbald. Both MacPherson and Graham Carey stood over the free kick but it was taken by the later who curled his effort over the wall and wide of the target.

Saints were coming more into the game and on 33 minutes Adam Montgomery saw his effort saved by Mark Birighitti before Charlie Mulgrew headed the loose ball behind for a corner. The United keeper was called into action again on 37 minutes as he made a smart save, tipping a Carey strike over for a corner.

The breakthrough came on 43 minutes as Saints took the lead. Andy Considine sent a long throw-in into the box which Stevie May missed with a fresh air kick and the ball then broke to Liam Gordon who smashed a low strike into the net to give Saints a half time lead.

PHOTO: Graham Carey is tackled by Loick Ayina

Saints made a good start to the second half as Carey sent an inviting ball across the face of the United goal but unfortunately no one in a Saints shirt could get on the end of it. On 54 minutes, another good Saints move saw space open up for May who unleashed a shot at goal which was saved by Birighitti.

Then just after the hour mark United were reduced to ten men as Charlie Mulgrew saw red for a high challenge on Melker Hallberg. The Swedish midfielder had managed to get away from the experienced defender however, he was then pulled down by Mulgrew with a raised outstretched high foot. The resultant free was taken by Carey and his deep ball into the box was headed back across goal by Considine and May got on the end of it to head narrowly over.

Saints made their first change of the game on 67 minutes as Theo Bair came on to replace Melker Hallberg.

PHOTO: Referee Alan Muir sends off Charlie Mulgrew after he brought down Melker Hallberg

As the second half progressed Saints tried to take advantage of their extra man as they looked to extend their lead. On 76 minutes Dan Phillips had a go from distance however, his effort was gathered by Birighitti at the second attempt.

Play quickly switched to the other end as a minute later a dangerous ball into the box by Niskanen flashed across the face of the Saints goal and Fletcher was inches away from making a connection with the delivery as the ball went behind for a goal kick.

Saints continued to look dangerous going forward and on 78 minutes May cut the ball in from the left to pick out Carey and he slipped the ball into the path of Drey Wright but his low effort from just outside the box was comfortably gathered by Birighitti.

PHOTO: Dan Phillips unleashes a strike at goal which is saved by Mark Birighitti

Steven MacLean made his second change of the game with 9 minutes remaining as he brought on Zak Rudden to replace Stevie May.

On 87 minutes a quick break by Rudden saw the on-loan forward carry the ball to the edge of the box before playing in Bair to his right however, the Canadian forward sliced his effort over the bar. Saints continued to apply pressure and a minute later great feet by Carey on the byline saw him get past his man before forcing Birighitti to turn the ball behind for a corner.

There was 6 minutes added on at the end and United almost snatched a late equaliser as a cross from the left by substitute Rory MacLeod was met by Fletcher whose volley crashed off the junction of the post and crossbar.

Saints then made their final change of the game as Alex Mitchell came on to replace the injured James Brown as the Perth side saw the game out to secure a vital three points and their first home win of 2023.

PHOTO: Cammy MacPherson and Dan Phillips celebrate at full time

Saints: Matthews, Brown (Mitchell 90+6), Gordon, Considine, Montgomery, Phillips, MacPherson, Hallberg (Bair 67), Wright, May (Rudden 81), Carey

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Gallacher, Ballantyne, Murphy, Moreland, Mylchreest

Booked: May, Carey

Scorer: Gordon (43)

Dundee United: Birighitti, Freeman (MacLeod 70), Ayina, Mulgrew, McMann (Edwards 90+1), Sibbald, Niskanen, Harkes (Cudjoe 87), McGrath, Behich, Fletcher

Unused Substitutes: Newman (GK), Graham, Djoum, Middleton, Fotheringham, Thomson

Booked: Niskanen, Behich, Sibbald

Sent Off: Mulgrew

Referee: Alan Muir

VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 7,071

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Liam Gordon celebrates his goal