DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
A thrilling Tayside derby saw the two sides share a point in a fast-flowing attacking encounter at McDiarmid Park.
Dundee United started the game strongly, only for a collapse at the end of the first half to mean that a spirited second half fight back was required to salvage a point and maintain a long undefeated run in Perth that stretches back 11 years.
Manager Peter Houston brought new loan signing Lauri Dalla Valle straight into the side in place of captain Jon Daly, who had picked up a knock yesterday. The only other change from last week's defeat at home to Dunfermline was to bring youngster Stuart Armstrong into the midfield in place of Scott Robertson, who dropped onto the bench.
Many of the United fans filling the stand behind Dusan Pernis's goal hadn't even taken their seats when their side stormed into a lead. New signing Dalla Valle showed some good footwork before laying the ball off for Barry Douglas, who sweetly struck a low left-footed effort into the right corner.
St Johnstone tried to claw their way back into the game immediately and Cillian Sheridan came close after seven minutes, when a good turn and shot was well held by Pernis.
United nearly doubled their advantage after ten minutes when Douglas did well on the left before firing a cross towards Russell on the edge of the area, but his well-hit effort went just over Enckelman's crossbar.
Two former United players had decent efforts well blocked within quick succession a quarter of an hour into the game, with Francisco Sandaza and David Robertson both coming close, before United sprinted to the other end on a counter attack and Dalla Valle did well to set up Armstong, who then picked out John Rankin but the former Hibs midfielder was tackled just as he tried to shoot.
Dalla Valle was again in the thick of the action minutes later, as he went down under a strong challenge 20 yards out on the left. Barry Douglas hit the free kick sweetly on his left foot, but the effort spun just past. A minute later, Johnny Russell embarked on a strong driving run then teed up Douglas but he drilled an effort over the bar.
After 20 minutes, Sandaza, who was looking lively in his first game against United since leaving the club, did well to turn and spin away from Kenneth, but his effort dipped just wide. More good footwork from Sandaza two minutes later saw him beat two United challenges, before Dillon managed to get a foot in to put the ball out for a corner.
Despite United still looking comfortable, a game-changing moment happened after 34 minutes. Former United man David Robertson and Johnny Russell competed for a high ball just inside the United area and, to the shock of the United players, referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot for what he felt was high feet from the United striker. Francisco Sandaza stepped up from the spot and sent Pernis the wrong way with a well-hit effort low into the bottom right corner.
The game had turned and, just three minutes later, United fans were again on their feet berating the award of a free kick 20 yards out. The resultant free kick was tapped on to Liam Craig, who fired a perfect drive low beyond Pernis to put the home side ahead.
Right on half time, it got worse for United as St Johnstone added to their lead. The United defence again couldn't deal with Sandaza, who flicked the ball over him on the right side of the box before driving beyond Pernis.
Half Time: Saints 3 - 1 United
United had looked comfortable and composed in the opening half hour of the game and had produced some attractive, fast, attacking football. But a collapse in the last quarter final after a hotly-contested penalty meant that the side had it all to do if they were to go back to Dundee with anything from this match.
In the early stages of the second half it looked more likely that the home side would add another, rather than United come back into the game. Within the first couple of minutes, they came close twice, firstly with a deflected effort going wide, then a free header from a Morris corner that went extremely close.
Eventually, United managed to regain their composure and came close ten minutes into the half, when a perfect Dixon ball from deep on the left found Russell in space, but the young striker glanced a header wide.
Midway through the half, and with Danny Swanson and Scott Robertson on in place of Stuart Armstrong and Barry Douglas, United were starting to look more threatening and good work from Russell on the right found Flood on the edge of the area, but his effort went well wide.
United had a penalty claim turned down with around 12 minutes to go when Russell went down after Gunning had done well on the right to keep the ball in then cut the ball back. A minute later, United were back in the game. Russell did well on the right then picked out Mackay-Steven, who hit a close range effort that Enckelman got in the way of, but the ball still ended in the net to set up a thrilling climax.
United kept up the tempo and chances were coming thick and fast. Mackay-Steven was doing well to get United back in the game and he skipped past McCracken then fired a brilliant ball across goal which was deflected wide. From the Swanson corner, United managed to get level, with Gavin Gunning heading powerfully beyond the Saints keeper for his first goal for the club.
United were playing fast fluid football with an attacking 4-4-2 formation and two wingers on the park and looked like they might snatch the three points. A Dixon free kick from the right was headed away for a corner, then Swanson's corner was well defended. Then with two minutes to go, Russell played in Dalla Valle on a fast counter attack and he skipped one way then another before powering in a good effort that Enckleman did well to get to and tip over.
As the fourth official held up the sign saying three minutes of injury time, Dalla Valle did well to beat the offside trap then get away from his marker to strike from the edge of the box, but Enckelman held.
Full time: Saints 3 - 3 United
An entertaining encounter, with no shortage of chances. United will feel relieved to have got something out of the game, after St Johnstone had taken a firm hold of the game shortly before half time. In the end, they could have left with three points but the match will do a lot to repair any damage caused by the last two defeats.
Man of the match: Gavin Gunning. He did his defensive duties well and was a strong commanding presence in the United defence, very much in the Andy Webster mould. Was also a threat going forward and took his goal well.
SAINTS: Enckleman; Mackay, Davidson (Gibson, 30) (Maybury, 85), Wright, McCracken; Adams, Robertson, Craig, Morris; Sheridan (Higgins, 89), Sandaza
SUBS NOT USED: Mannus, Caddis, May, McIntosh
UNITED: Pernis; Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Gunning; Douglas (Swanson, 53), Flood (Mackay-Steven, 76), Rankin, Armstrong (Robertson, 64); Dalla Valle, Russell
SUBS NOT USED: Banks, Allan, Dow, Watson
Att; 4480
Dundee United started the game strongly, only for a collapse at the end of the first half to mean that a spirited second half fight back was required to salvage a point and maintain a long undefeated run in Perth that stretches back 11 years.
Manager Peter Houston brought new loan signing Lauri Dalla Valle straight into the side in place of captain Jon Daly, who had picked up a knock yesterday. The only other change from last week's defeat at home to Dunfermline was to bring youngster Stuart Armstrong into the midfield in place of Scott Robertson, who dropped onto the bench.
Many of the United fans filling the stand behind Dusan Pernis's goal hadn't even taken their seats when their side stormed into a lead. New signing Dalla Valle showed some good footwork before laying the ball off for Barry Douglas, who sweetly struck a low left-footed effort into the right corner.
St Johnstone tried to claw their way back into the game immediately and Cillian Sheridan came close after seven minutes, when a good turn and shot was well held by Pernis.
United nearly doubled their advantage after ten minutes when Douglas did well on the left before firing a cross towards Russell on the edge of the area, but his well-hit effort went just over Enckelman's crossbar.
Two former United players had decent efforts well blocked within quick succession a quarter of an hour into the game, with Francisco Sandaza and David Robertson both coming close, before United sprinted to the other end on a counter attack and Dalla Valle did well to set up Armstong, who then picked out John Rankin but the former Hibs midfielder was tackled just as he tried to shoot.
Dalla Valle was again in the thick of the action minutes later, as he went down under a strong challenge 20 yards out on the left. Barry Douglas hit the free kick sweetly on his left foot, but the effort spun just past. A minute later, Johnny Russell embarked on a strong driving run then teed up Douglas but he drilled an effort over the bar.
After 20 minutes, Sandaza, who was looking lively in his first game against United since leaving the club, did well to turn and spin away from Kenneth, but his effort dipped just wide. More good footwork from Sandaza two minutes later saw him beat two United challenges, before Dillon managed to get a foot in to put the ball out for a corner.
Despite United still looking comfortable, a game-changing moment happened after 34 minutes. Former United man David Robertson and Johnny Russell competed for a high ball just inside the United area and, to the shock of the United players, referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot for what he felt was high feet from the United striker. Francisco Sandaza stepped up from the spot and sent Pernis the wrong way with a well-hit effort low into the bottom right corner.
The game had turned and, just three minutes later, United fans were again on their feet berating the award of a free kick 20 yards out. The resultant free kick was tapped on to Liam Craig, who fired a perfect drive low beyond Pernis to put the home side ahead.
Right on half time, it got worse for United as St Johnstone added to their lead. The United defence again couldn't deal with Sandaza, who flicked the ball over him on the right side of the box before driving beyond Pernis.
Half Time: Saints 3 - 1 United
United had looked comfortable and composed in the opening half hour of the game and had produced some attractive, fast, attacking football. But a collapse in the last quarter final after a hotly-contested penalty meant that the side had it all to do if they were to go back to Dundee with anything from this match.
In the early stages of the second half it looked more likely that the home side would add another, rather than United come back into the game. Within the first couple of minutes, they came close twice, firstly with a deflected effort going wide, then a free header from a Morris corner that went extremely close.
Eventually, United managed to regain their composure and came close ten minutes into the half, when a perfect Dixon ball from deep on the left found Russell in space, but the young striker glanced a header wide.
Midway through the half, and with Danny Swanson and Scott Robertson on in place of Stuart Armstrong and Barry Douglas, United were starting to look more threatening and good work from Russell on the right found Flood on the edge of the area, but his effort went well wide.
United had a penalty claim turned down with around 12 minutes to go when Russell went down after Gunning had done well on the right to keep the ball in then cut the ball back. A minute later, United were back in the game. Russell did well on the right then picked out Mackay-Steven, who hit a close range effort that Enckelman got in the way of, but the ball still ended in the net to set up a thrilling climax.
United kept up the tempo and chances were coming thick and fast. Mackay-Steven was doing well to get United back in the game and he skipped past McCracken then fired a brilliant ball across goal which was deflected wide. From the Swanson corner, United managed to get level, with Gavin Gunning heading powerfully beyond the Saints keeper for his first goal for the club.
United were playing fast fluid football with an attacking 4-4-2 formation and two wingers on the park and looked like they might snatch the three points. A Dixon free kick from the right was headed away for a corner, then Swanson's corner was well defended. Then with two minutes to go, Russell played in Dalla Valle on a fast counter attack and he skipped one way then another before powering in a good effort that Enckleman did well to get to and tip over.
As the fourth official held up the sign saying three minutes of injury time, Dalla Valle did well to beat the offside trap then get away from his marker to strike from the edge of the box, but Enckelman held.
Full time: Saints 3 - 3 United
An entertaining encounter, with no shortage of chances. United will feel relieved to have got something out of the game, after St Johnstone had taken a firm hold of the game shortly before half time. In the end, they could have left with three points but the match will do a lot to repair any damage caused by the last two defeats.
Man of the match: Gavin Gunning. He did his defensive duties well and was a strong commanding presence in the United defence, very much in the Andy Webster mould. Was also a threat going forward and took his goal well.
SAINTS: Enckleman; Mackay, Davidson (Gibson, 30) (Maybury, 85), Wright, McCracken; Adams, Robertson, Craig, Morris; Sheridan (Higgins, 89), Sandaza
SUBS NOT USED: Mannus, Caddis, May, McIntosh
UNITED: Pernis; Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Gunning; Douglas (Swanson, 53), Flood (Mackay-Steven, 76), Rankin, Armstrong (Robertson, 64); Dalla Valle, Russell
SUBS NOT USED: Banks, Allan, Dow, Watson
Att; 4480
