MAY MAKES UNITED PAY
Saints striker shines as Fox’s side flop
WITH the breakthrough goal, an assist for the second, a goal-saving intervention, a crack of the crossbar and a display harking back to his first St Johnstone spell, Stevie May forced Callum Davidson to bin protocol.
‘I really don’t like mentioning players and singling them out,’ said the Saints manager.
‘But I thought Stevie May was outstanding. First of all, I thought his work rate was tremendous.
‘He scores the goal, creates a goal and clears one off the line. He could’ve had another in the 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. He typified the performance and how we got result.
‘The last few minutes were a bit nervy but I thought we’d managed to control it in the second half enough not to give away too many chances. I’m delighted with how we scored the goals and went about our business.’
May has looked a lot happier thanks to the company of former Tannadice forward Nicky Clark in recent weeks but this was a level above those encouraging signs.
May, 29, preyed on fragility and uncertainty in this Dundee United defence to put the visitors ahead on 16 minutes with his second Premiership goal of the season and Saints really could’ve been three up by the break.
The direct route was all too simple. A lovely long ball from Andrew Considine sent May past a United back line begging for an offside that never came.
Carljohan Eriksson’s presence doesn’t spook strikers in a onev-one and May rocketed a finish into the roof of the net.
United had made a pleasing enough opening but, in their plight, any puncturing of early confidence has a severely detrimental effect.
Steven Fletcher’s header from a corner was net-bound until that nuisance May popped up on the line to turn defender and clear.
The swift response to a setback that new manager Liam Fox (left) needed on the first game since his permanent appointment was denied. For May’s next trick, a fine assist for the second. He latched on to a superb Ryan McGowan pass down the right before picking out Melker Hallberg.
The Swede swept home a deadly low finish from 18 yards.
United were lucky not to fall further behind as Jamie Murphy then Drey Wright couldn’t capitalise on chances.
The disarray in defence that led to Jack Ross’ dismissal wasn’t so obvious as Fox oversaw encouraging caretaker displays with a win over Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup and a draw at Motherwell.
He was angered to note those problems returning. ‘The goals we conceded were poor,’ admitted Fox. ‘A few individual errors gave us a mountain to climb.
‘With the position we’re in, needing that league win, everyone is a bit edgy. We’re going to have to overcome that. We have plenty to work on and improve on.
‘Let’s be clear, we’re in a position where we need points — and need them soon. We need to step up to the challenge and find way to win.’
There’s a long slog ahead before a transfer window emerges to enable Fox to plug the holes.
He will, therefore, need to work his defensive fixes on the training ground through United’s hectic nine-match schedule before the mid-November shutdown.
He reported that Charlie Mulgrew, missing with a thigh knock picked up in Friday training, will return against Aberdeen next Saturday night.
Otherwise, Fox wasn’t too interested in scrambling around for positives despite admitting that Tony Watt’s goal could help the striker’s confidence.
Watt replaced Fletcher, who hurt his groin early in the second half, and led the line well.
Archie Meekison impressed in the middle of the park for the final 20 minutes as United finally tested the visiting resolve.
This was only after May struck the crossbar from 22 yards with an effort that could’ve led to another dash for the exits from the beleaguered home support.
However, United did trouble Remi Matthews. Both Watt and Sadat Anaku, making his first start after a thrilling substitute cameo at Ibrox, drew fine near-post saves from the goalkeeper.
With eight minutes remaining, Matthews batted away Aziz Behich’s angled drive but Watt was smart on the rebound as United finally registered a Premiership goal at home for the season.
It was the striker’s first since the second week in February and, if in the mood for more, a return to form from Watt could help Fox’s tenure pick up momentum.
St Johnstone, who travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday, will already feel they have forward progress on their side thanks to a third win of the season lifting them to eighth.
DUNDEE UNITED (3-5-2): Eriksson; Smith, Edwards, Graham; Freeman (Middleton 69), Harkes (Meekison 69), Levitt, McGrath, Behich; Anaku (Niskanen 76), Fletcher
(Watt 56). Subs (not used): Birighitti, McMann, Sibbald, Cudjoe, Cleall-Harding. Booked: Behich, Levitt, Harkes, Meekison, Edwards
ST JOHNSTONE (3-4-1-2): Matthews; Mitchell, Gordon, Considine; Wright, Hallberg, McGowan, Montgomery; Murphy (Crawford 72); Clark (Bair 85), May (McLennan 72). Subs (not used): Parish, Gallagher, Mahon, O’Halloran, Kucheriavyi, Brown. Booked: Wright, McGowan, Mitchell. Referee: David Munro. Attendance: 7,977.