United v Saints
Craig makes his point for the 10 men
Dundee United made the perfect Premiership start but couldn’t shake off stubborn 10-man St Johnstone at Tannadice.
This was an entertaining grand reopening after lockdown and a Nicky Clark penalty had them flying after just six minutes.
They looked odds-on to win when the visitors had Michael O’Halloran sent off before halftime but a volley from Liam Craig pulled the Perth men level on 56 minutes.
Tangerine boss Mickey Mellon said: “Of course, when you go a goal up and the opposition go down to 10 men you would expect as professionals to see it out. We were unable to do that but we will learn our lessons.”
United, back where they feel they belong after four years, unfurled the Championship flag before kick-off. After a sociallydistanced guard of honour by the visitors, captain Mark Reynolds did the honours on his 50th appearance.
Former Tannadice fans’ favourite Craig Conway started on the bench for Saints but summer recruit Danny McNamara was given a debut. Elliot Parish was in goal, with Zander Clark injured. The Tangerines gave a debut to 17-year-old Lewis Neilson in their back three, while Clark returned after injury. The hosts named on-loan Manchester City wide player Luke Bolton as a substitute.
United made a spectacular start after just six minutes, Clark putting them ahead.
Ian Harkes found himself clean through on goal but dithered before passing back to Liam Smith. His shot struck the raised arm of Craig, who was booked. Clark found the righthand corner from the spot to put the home team 1-0 up.
United opened up the visitors again on 12 minutes but Parish did well to come out and block Jamie Robson’s shot.
O’Halloran was yellowcarded for a tackle on Peter Pawlett right in front of the technical areas and it would prove significant.
A mistake by McNamara let Robson pounce and he played the ball back to Lawrence Shankland, whose shot was blocked. Just seconds later, it was Pawlett’s turn to test Parish.
Five minutes before the break, St Johnstone frontman Callum Hendry went on a terrific run inside the box before the boot of Robson nicked the ball away from him.
Robson picked up United’s first caution for a foul on Jason Kerr before Saints lost O’Halloran to a second yellow. He went in late on Butcher to leave the visitors down to 10 men a minute before the break.
Three minutes into the second period, Shankland bobbed and weaved his way inside the box, left defender Liam Gordon on the floor, but blasted his shot over 10 yards.
A nice one-two with Clark sent Shankland clear but once again he couldn’t hit the back of the net and Saints took advantage on 56 minutes. It was a brilliant volley from Craig, who took advantage of sloppy defending from Mark Connolly, to bring the visitors level from 10 yards.
United brought on Bolton for Neilson and Saints changed Hendry with Stevie May.
Harkes then took the ball from a Siegrist throw and ran all the way to the Saints box but shot straight at Parish.
Both sides made changes, with Cammy Smith coming on for United, and Conway and Tanser on for the Perth men.
On 83 minutes, Pawlett worked a terrific one-two with Shankland but a superb tackle from McNamara saved the day.
Cammy Smith almost nicked the win for United in stoppagetime but a great challenge by Jason Kerr blocked his shot.