Happy Davidson hails Saints goal hero May
Watt (82) ST JOHNSTONE 2
May (15), Hallberg (39)
St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson heaped praise on Stevie May after the striker produced a stunning manof-the-match performance against Dundee United.
First-half goals from May and Melker Hallberg put Saints in control but United made it a nervy finish late on when sub Tony Watt pulled one back.
However, Saints held on to secure the win and extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Davidson said: “I am delighted with three points, first and foremost.
“We worked on things all week and I thought tactically we were really good.
“I don’t really like mentioning players and singling players out but I thought Stevie May was outstanding today.
“First of all, I thought his workrate 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.
“I think his performance was outstanding and typified the result in the end and how we got there.
“The last few minutes were a bit nervy but I thought we had managed to control it in the second half enough not to give away too many chances.”
There was a hectic opening without either side creating any meaningful opportunities.
However, Saints took the lead with the first real chance of the game in the 15th minute.
Andy Considine played a ball from inside his own half in behind the United defence with May running clear, advancing on goal before calmly firing high past home keeper Carljohann Eriksson.
Saints tails were up and shortly after, former United striker Nicky Clark tried his luck from outside the box but his shot flew over the bar.
The Tangerines finally carved out a chance of their own in the 24th minute when Jamie McGrath swung a corner in from the right with Steven Fletcher sending a powerful header towards goal but May was on hand to clear off his own line.
However, United were toiling to make much of an impression on St Johnstone.
Tempers boiled over just after the half-hour mark with United’s Aziz Behich and Saints
Drey Wright booked once the dust had settled.
The home side should have tested Matthews when McGrath hit a pinpoint freekick into the Saints box but Ryan Edwards headed over.
Instead, it was Davidson’s men who extended their advantage in the 39th minute. 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 goal just before the break but Wright’s low drive flew just past Eriksson’s right-hand post.
United toiled manfully to claw their way back into the game at the start of the second half but Saints continued to look comfortable.
In the 57th minute, the Perth men came agonisingly close to making it three when May struck a dipping shot from just outside the United box which hit the home 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 made a great save in the 80th minute, keeping out a Watt effort at his near post.
However, United finally scored three minutes later. Matthews saved a Aziz Behich shot but Watt was on hand to rifle home the rebound but it was too little too late.