HE WAS BEST PLAYER ON PARK.. BELIEVE MAY
Perth boss Callum hails Stevie for key role in dumping United
Saints boss Callum Davidson lavished praise on Stevie May after the striker produced a stunning man- of-the- match performance.
First-half goals from May and Melker Hallberg put the Perth side in control but Dundee United made it a nervy finish late on when sub Tony Watt pulled one back.
However, St Johnstone held on to take the points and extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Gaffer Davidson said: “I am delighted with three points first and foremost. We worked on things all week and tactically we were really good.
“I don’t really like mentioning players and singling them out but Stevie May was outstanding today.
“First of al l , his work rate was tremendous, he scores the goal, creates a goal and clears one off the line. He could have had another second half and that’s what I want to see from Stevie.
“We know he’s got that in him and we believe in Stevie. His performance was outstanding and typified the result in the end and how we got there.”
Saints took the lead with the first real chance of the game after 15 minutes.
Andy Considine played a ball from inside his own half behind the United defence with May advancing on goal before calmly firing high past keeper Carljohan Eriksson.
Saints’ tails were up and shortly after former United striker Nicky Clark tried his luck from outside the box with a shot that f lew over. The Tangerines finally carved out a chance of their own in the 24th minute when Jamie McGrath swung in a corner from the right with Steven Fletcher sending a powerful header towards goal that May was on hand to clear off the line.
However, United were toiling to make much of an impression. Tempers boiled over just after the half-hour with United’s Aziz Behich and Saints’ Drey Wright booked once the dust settled.
The home side should have tested Remi Matthews when McGrath hit a pinpoint free-kick into the Saints box but Ryan Edwards headed over. Instead, it was
Davidson’s men who extended their advantage in 39 minutes.
May burst down the right before hitting a low cutback which Hallberg swept home past the helpless Eriksson.
Saints came close to scoring a third just before the break but Wright’s low drive flew just wide.
United toiled manfully to claw their way back into the game at the start of the second half but St Johnstone continued to look comfortable.
The Perth men came close to making it three when May struck a dipping shot from just outside the United box which hit the crossbar.
The Tangerines created an opening when Dylan Levitt played a ball in behind to Sadat Anaku but Matthews raced off his line to snuff out the danger.
Matthews then made a great save 10 minutes from time, keeping out a Watt effort at his near post.
However, United finally scored three minutes later. Matthews saved a Behich shot but Watt was on hand to rifle home the rebound.