Luca Stephenson celebrates his first professional goal
Dundee United picked up their first league win of the season as they punished 10-man St Johnstone at Tannadice.
After a terrible first half, Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson put United ahead in the 54th minute when he reacted quickest to a David Babunski rebound.
St Johnstone's chances of a comeback became much slimmer when Adama Sidibeh was sent off for two bookings, before picking up a second red card as he lashed out at Kevin Holt on his way off the pitch.
United compounded their man advantage moments later. Josh Rae missed his punch from a throw-in and Jack Sanders accidentally nodded into his own goal.
Two calamitous moments in the space of four minutes, and St Johnstone's race was run.
The first-half left a lot to be desired, but if either side should have been ahead it was St Johnstone.
Stealing the ball from a back pass, Benjamin Kimpioka rounded the keeper and hit the post from a narrow angle. It bounced kindly to Andre Raymond, only for the left-back to blaze over an almost empty goal from four yards out.
The visitors started the second-half brightly. Graham Carey had a shot brilliantly tipped over the bar, before his corner was narrowly headed wide by a United defender.
Against the run of play, United went ahead. Kristijan Trapanovski ghosted past Sanders on the left and crossed for Babunski. Rae saved from close range but could only palm to Stephenson, who tucked home.
St Johnstone had chances to equalise through Benjamin Kimpioka and Sidibeh, but neither could truly test Jack Walton in the United goal, before Sidibeh's red card effectively ended the game as a competitive tie.
His first booking - a handball as he punched the ball away from Walton in a failed 'hand-of-god' re-enactment - was foolish. His second - catching Will Ferry with his hand as he tried to spin away - was perhaps harsh.
His reaction to the dismissal - throwing a hand towards the midriff of Holt - resulted in a further card for violent conduct after a VAR intervention. A lengthier ban awaits.
United scored almost immediately afterwards. Ross Graham launched a long throw into the Saints box and Rae completely fluffed his punch. The ball bounced off the hapless Sanders and in. Game, set and match.
Stodgy United make chances count
Similar to last week's win over St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup - this was not the most glamorous win of Jim Goodwin's United career.
The first-half, in particular, was a hard watch. There was one solitary shot - a Trapanovski volley that flew over the bar.
Although some of the manager's additions have gelled quickly, there is a lack of creativity at the top end and they were effectively handed their two goals today.
Indeed, Goodwin still cut a frosty figure on the touchline when the first goal went in. He was a bit happier at the second.
By that point, they had a bit more confidence about them. Trapanovski had been hooked for Louis Moult, and they immediately showed more threat with two strikers on the pitch.
St Johnstone's ill-discipline costs them dear
The start of the second-half was more like it from St Johnstone. Kimpioka and Sidibeh were starting to link with the midfield and Carey was getting on the ball.
He's 35 but the Irishman still has the quality to fire in a game-winning goal - which he very nearly did in the 49th minute.
Then the first goal went in, soft defending and goalkeeping combining to gift United a chance, and the heads went - particularly from Sidibeh.
The Gambian striker has the raw talent to make it at this level but his ill-discipline cost his side and Craig Levein would have every right to be fuming with his striker.
He will now face a ban and the question for St Johnstone is - do they have anyone who can replicate his flair and physical attributes?
What they said
Dundee Utd can 'hold their own at this level' - Goodwin
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin: "It gives the group a lot of confidence - the fact they can hold their own at this level and more. We had a great cup win against St Mirren last weekend and followed that up today with a good victory, another clean sheet.
"We made a couple of changes at half-time and made a substitution just after we scored. That made a real difference and from that point on we had a lot more control. Over the piece we deserved the win."
St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "We slumped after losing the first goal, then the sending off occurs and throws us into a tailspin.
"We were good enough to take something from the game but we made mistakes and got punished for it."
St Johnstone 'deserved something from the game' - Levein
