Here's some good news for you, Saints fans... your side are unbeaten in their last 16 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W13, D3) dating back to 27 November 2021 against Hibernian (L1-2).

The game has been more even than the scoreline suggests, but St Johnstone have been far more clinical and confident.

Image source, SNS

Harry Paton catches Luke Robinson on the ankle and it's a free-kick to St Johnstone.

The Canadian midfielder has to be careful. He's only just been booked.

Motherwell have flown out the traps in this second half and they've arguably just had their best chance.

Callum Slattery finds Blair Spittal in the box and he skips away from Dan Phillips to whip a low cross to the back post, but there was no one there. Huge opportunity missed.

It didn't take long for Euan Anderson to produce a card - and it's fully merited, too.

Harry Paton has absolutely flown into Sven Sprangler. That's a naughty one.

I've made my brew, checked the Celtic score - it's not good - and I'm back in place for the second half.

Motherwell have made a change. Brodie Spencer is off and replaced with striker Theo Bair, who returns to his old den.

Andy Burke
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Craig Levein must be delighted with the way that first half panned out for St Johnstone. They have not had to work too hard for their goals, but they have been well taken and his side has taken confidence from them.

Motherwell have not offered a great deal in attack and have been so sloppy when defending set-pieces. It's not a recipe for picking up points on the road, or anywhere for that matter.

Image source, SNs

As it stands, St Johnstone are off the bottom.

I don't think many fans Saints fans would've expected their exile at the foot of the league to be over by early November. It seemed as if they were heading rapidly for the trap door.

But the league is so tight this season that back-to-back wins have them up to 11th, just four points off the top six.

Two goals from two corners have them ahead - a Nicky Clark header and an Andy Considine toe-poke. Big reaction needed from the visitors.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell have come back into it since that second goal went in. It's like the pressure is off now they're two behind.

Conor Wilkinson receives the ball on the edge of the area and skips way from the challenge of Dan Phillips before his shot is blocked.

The two meet again near the halfway line a few phases of play later as Phillips smashes into Wilkinson after the ball is knocked away from the Saints midfielder. Another yellow.

First card of the night and it's Callum Slattery who incurs the wrath of referee Euan Anderson.

It's perhaps a tad harsh when seen on the replay, as the Motherwell midfielder just stands his ground and blocks off Luke Robinson. The ref doesn't agree.

Motherwell almost get one back. It's another corner that causes the problem.

Dan Casey got low to drill his diving header at goal, but Luke Robinson was there on the line to block and deny an immediate response.

Almost a second as Chris Kane picks Shane Blaney's pocket and cuts away from the defender to line up a shot in the box... but Brodie Spencer gets back in time to hoof the ball away for a throw.

Motherwell are living dangerously having already given themselves an, admittedly small, mountain to climb.

VAR confirms Motherwell's fears. As Conor Wilkinson jousted with Andy Considine, the ball deflected and hit the striker's hand.

It's a shame, it wasn't deliberate and it was great finish - but referee Euan Anderson rightly chalks it off.

Andy Burke
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

As the game kicked off, the away support let off a number of pyrotechnics and the McDiarmid Park pitch is now engulfed in smoke.

Hopefully, when the smoke clears, we'll get a decent game of football!

An early long ball through from St Johnstone causes Liam Kelly to rush out of his box and clear.

I'm surprised he can see it. Pyrotechnics in the away end have caused a significant amount of smoke to blow across the pitch, blurring the vision of your intrepid reporter.

All eyes are on referee Euan Anderson, but we play on at the moment.

And just like that, the Levein era at St Johnstone is under way. I wonder what it has in store...

St Johnstone, in their traditional blue, kick-off with Motherwell in their claret away kits.