St Johnstone v Dundee Utd

St Johnstone 1

Anderson 66′

Dundee Utd 5

Anderson 35′ (og) Davidson 61′ (og) Russell 84′ Daly 89′ Lacny 90′

FT 90 +4
HT 0-1

St Johnstone 1- 5 Dundee United

By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee United benefitted from two own goals as they hammered Tayside rivals St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Steven Anderson in the first half and Callum Davidson in the second put through their own net as the visitors built up a 2-0 lead.

However, Anderson scored at the right end to halve Saints' deficit.

But headers by Johnny Russell and Jon Daly and a tap-in by Milos Lacny gave United a handsome Scottish Premier League victory.

The gap between the two sides now sits at five points, with St Johnstone fifth and United sixth.

St Johnstone pinned their visitors back early on but struggled to test United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis.

However, the Slovakian goalkeeper was a relieved man on 18 minutes when Davidson's shot fizzed past the post, the left-back having got the break of the ball in a central area.

Liam Craig was next to threaten, but Pernis was well positioned to collect the midfielder's delicate lob.

Pernis then ran off his line to make a clearance and spare the blushes of Robbie Neilson, who had been short with the passback.

Saints continued to press and Paul Dixon made a vital clearance from Chris Millar's dangerous whipped cross.

United won a free-kick following Anderson's late challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven and Gavin Gunning's drive was deflected out.

It was from another set piece that United got the opener, although the goal owed more to a goalkeeping mishap than attacking prowess.

Daly and Russell both netted for United

Peter Enckelman came off his line to try to catch Dixon's free-kick but missed it and the ball cannoned off the unfortunate Anderson and trickled into the net.

The Perth side pressed for an equaliser and Lee Croft tried to round Pernis on the right-hand side of the box but let the ball get away from him and went to ground as the goalkeeper closed him down. Referee Iain Brines promptly booked Croft for simulation.

Enckelman held Scott Robertson's shot from the edge of the box shortly before half-time.

Anderson's attempt to cancel out his own goal did not have the beating of Pernis in the opening minutes of the second half.

Gunning headed Mackay-Steven's corner just over at the other end.

However, Mackay-Steven did create a goal when he burst towards the byline and centred for Johnny Russell, who missed the ball only for Davidson to put through his own net.

The pace and trickery of Mackay-Steven was proving to be a real headache for Saints and the winger set up Stuart Armstrong, whose bending shot was saved well by Enckelman.

St Johnstone finally registered when Craig's looping free-kick was turned home in the six-yard box by Anderson.

No sooner had Saints scored than they were defending again as Mackay-Steven produced an excellent bit of skill to set up John Rankin, whose shot was deflected over and, from the corner, Gunning's header clipped the crossbar on its way out.

Pernis held efforts by Craig and Dave MacKay as St Johnstone probed for an equaliser.

However, the home side's hopes of completing their comeback were dashed when Russell became the first United player to get his name on the scoresheet.

Dixon's free-kick found the striker at the back post and his header looped over Enckelman into the far corner.

Another superb delivery from Dixon set up Daly for his goal, the striker beating Enckelman with a commanding header.

And the visitors profited from another defensive mix-up in the home defence as Enckelman's clearance rebounded off MacKay into the path of Lacny and the substitute slotted into the empty net for his first United goal.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

St Johnstone

01 Enckelman
02 MacKay
03 Davidson
06 Anderson
18 McCracken
04 Morris
07 Millar Booked (Robertson - 81' )
08 Croft Booked (Haber - 76' )
10 Craig
11 Sheridan
21 Sandaza

Substitutes

15 Mannus
05 Wright
33 Steeves
16 Robertson
22 Oyenuga
23 Haber
46 Keatings

Dundee United

01 Pernis
03 Dixon Booked
05 Kenneth (Dillon - 39' )
18 Gunning
26 Neilson
08 Robertson
11 Rankin
16 Armstrong (Ryan - 81' )
17 Mackay-Steven (Lacny - 88' )
09 Daly
15 Russell Booked

Substitutes

13 Banks
02 Dillon
14 Douglas
06 Flood
07 Ryan
20 Lacny
22 Dow

Ref: Brines

Att: 4,319

Match Stats

Possession 43 57

Shots

8 11

On target

2 5

Corners

8 6

Fouls

11 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +1:56

Save made by Dusan Pernis.

90:00 +1:56 Booking

Booking Paul Dixon is given a yellow card.

90:00 +1:33

Corner from the right by-line taken by Liam Craig,

89:55 Goal scored

Goal - Milos Lacny - St J'stone 1 - 5 Dundee U Milos Lacny finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the area low into the middle of the goal. St Johnstone 1-5 Dundee Utd.

88:49

Assist on the goal came from Paul Dixon.

88:49 Goal scored

Goal - Jon Daly - St J'stone 1 - 4 Dundee U Jon Daly finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. St Johnstone 1-4 Dundee Utd.

88:43

The ball is swung over by Paul Dixon,

86:35 Substitution

Substitution Gary Mackay-Steven goes off and Milos Lacny comes on.

86:35

David MacKay restarts play with the free kick.

86:35 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Johnny Russell for unsporting behaviour.

86:29

Foul by Johnny Russell on Marcus Haber, free kick awarded.

85:40

Liam Craig takes the inswinging corner, save by Dusan Pernis.

84:55

Unfair challenge on Liam Craig by Robbie Neilson results in a free kick. Peter Enckelman takes the direct free kick.

83:08

Paul Dixon provided the assist for the goal.

83:08 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - St J'stone 1 - 3 Dundee U Johnny Russell finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. St Johnstone 1-3 Dundee Utd.

82:32

Jody Morris challenges Gary Mackay-Steven unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is sent over by Paul Dixon,

80:55 Substitution

Substitution Stuart Armstrong leaves the field to be replaced by Richie Ryan.

80:30 Substitution

Substitution David Robertson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Chris Millar.