Aberdeen beat St Johnstone in Jimmy Thelin's Scottish Premiership bow

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Jimmy Thelin's first league match as Aberdeen manager ended in victory as the Dons spoiled Geoff Brown's St Johnstone farewell party at McDiarmid Park.

Thelin became the first Aberdeen boss to win his first five games in charge as goals from Nicky Devlin and Jamie McGrath saw off the Saints, although there was a scare after Gavin Molloy's late own goal.

Despite the narrow scoreline, Aberdeen deserved all three points as they dominated large spells of the game, driving forward in waves of attack against a shaky home defence.

Brown agreed to sell St Johnstone to American businessman Adam Webb in May and he was honoured before kick-off in front of a full stadium.

While Aberdeen were buoyed by the return of Bojan Miovski, who only made one substitute appearance during the League Cup group stage, St Johnstone boss Craig Levein admitted he was only "reasonably happy" with how the summer has gone.

He would have been happier had Lewis Neilson hit the target with his header from three yards out. Instead, the on-loan Hearts defender put it wide.

Aberdeen fired a warning shot when Ester Sokler got in behind, rounded the keeper and tucked home. The flag went up to save St Johnstone, but they were under the cosh.

Miovski had a shot blocked well in the box before he rattled the crossbar from 25 yards. Sokler had one saved at close range by Josh Rae.

A minute later, the Dons hit the front. Devlin was the man to make the breakthrough, rising high to glance home a header.

St Johnstone did create a few chances, with Benjamin Kimpioka the man on the end of most of them. His dipping half-volley flew just over the bar.

The Dons' second goal was all about the assist from Sivert Heltne Nilsen, a surgical pass that bisected the defence and presented a golden chance to McGrath, with the unmarked Irishman sliding the ball in.

McGrath is canny at creating, too. He whipped in a delightful cross that new signing Molloy almost headed in, with the ball drifting just the wrong side of the post.

There was time for a nervy ending. Makenzie Kirk - son of Saints assistant Andy - was introduced and immediately blasted in a low shot that cannoned off Molloy and past a helpless Dimitar Mitov.

The young striker then had hearts in mouths when he got on the end of Matt Smith's fantastic link-up, but could only blast straight at Mitov.

Aberdeen get swagger back as Thelin makes history

SNS

Nicky Devlin heads Aberdeen into a first-half lead

The 'new manager bounce' is certainly a phenomenon, but pinning Aberdeen's victory on the aforementioned affect would be unfair.

The Dons looked assured tactically, carrying out their roles confidently and largely with aplomb.

Thelin's Elfsborg team were known for their direct approach and he has imprinted that style on Aberdeen quickly. It is not quite 'hoofball' though, instead picking their moments quite deliberately to launch it long.

So the manager has bedded in quickly, but can the new players? Heltne Nilsen looks to have added much-needed grit to the midfield, while Molloy and Mitov were largely untested for most of the night.

Things could have been far more comfortable had they been a little more clinical, but the game management was there to see it out.

St Johnstone's wait for home win goes on

It has been 233 long days since the Saints won a league match in Perth.

16 December 2023 was the date. A 1-0 win over Hibs was the scoreline. Graham Carey the goalscorer.

Many have named St Johnstone as relegation candidates. We are a fair distance out but if you cannot win at home, you are going to be in real trouble.

Traditionally, the Saints' problem has been scoring goals but, worryingly, they looked far better in attack than defence this evening.

Kimpioka was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet, while young Kirk offered real flair during his late cameo.

What the managers said

Aberdeen: Manager Jimmy Thelin impressed after Premiership bow

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin: "The first half we have more control. Second half, St Johnstone did well and put pressure on us, but we defended well. We didn't get as many shots on goal but it was team effort, how we protected each other and fought all the way to the end for the three points."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "I thought it was competitive, we got loads of crosses into the box and we had some really good chances. We got one, but we just couldn't get the other."

St Johnstone 'have set the bar in performance' - Craig Levein

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