Dundee United vs St Johnstone: Scottish Premiership – BBC Sport

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.