St Mirren 2-1 Dundee United Home side climb to fourth as United toil - BBC Sport Homepage
Accessibility links
Skip to contentAccessibility HelpBBC AccountNotificationsMore menu Search BBC Search BBC HomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBeebiesCBBCFoodHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBCSport All SportAll Sport SAT 22 Oct 2022Scottish PremiershipSt MirrenSt Mirren2Dundee UtdDundee United1Eriksson (41' minutes og), Greive (83' minutes)FTHT 1-0Fletcher (58' minutes)Erhahon (83' minutes)AssistsWatt (58' minutes) St Mirren 2-1 Dundee United Home side climb to fourth as United toil
By Jack HerrallBBC Sport Scotland Last updated on 4 hours ago4 hours ago.From the section Scottish PremiershipCurtis Main celebrates his side's opener St Mirren climbed to fourth in the Scottish Premiership after a compelling contest with struggling Dundee United. Carljohan Eriksson could only palm a Curtis Main header in off a post before the break, only for Steven Fletcher to level after the interval. St Mirren had a goal ruled out after a VAR review, before Alex Greive nodded in the winner with seven minutes left. "We probably should have gone on to win it a little bit more comfortably," said St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson. "There's a spirit here, we're okay as individuals but as a team unit, we're really good."Get all your St Mirren news hereVisit our dedicated Dundee United page United remain in 11th place, ahead of Ross County on goal difference, but the visitors struggled from the outset, with Charles Dunne's header hitting the bar as St Mirren started in threatening fashion. And it wasn't long until they had the ball in the back of the net, although referee Grant Irvine blew for a foul in the build-up before the ball crossed the line. The fast start faded until Curtis Main leapt above his man to meet a deep cross and direct a header goalward. It appeared to hit a post, then deflect off United goalkeeper Eriksson before bobbling in. St Mirren were deserving of the lead at the interval, with Main cracking a long-range strike of the bar moments after his goal, albeit they finished the half without registering a shot on target. The second half was more lively, as United improved to match their hosts. Jonah Ayunga crashed an angled shot against a post before United found an equaliser. Tony Watt nodded down an Aziz Behich cross to substitute Fletcher, who showed great composure to side-foot it into the net. That ignited the contest and a controversial decision ignited debate after an Ayunga strike was ruled out. The forward planted a finish past Eriksson but, right back at the start of the move in midfield, Behich had gone down in an incident with Keanu Baccus, the St Mirren player apparently brushing him with a trailing arm. Referee Irvine was advised to check the challenge on the pitchside monitor by VAR Alan Muir and opted to rule out the goal. United came again, and went close through Fletcher and Watt, before Liam Smith's long-range strike fizzed narrowly past the post before the hosts found a winner when Ethan Erhahon swung in an enticing cross that Greive glanced into the net after rising above Ryan Edwards. Player of the match - Keanu Baccus
In a dominant midfield display, the Australian won possession eight times, more than anyone else on the pitch. United toil but Fletcher gives them hope - analysis
St Mirren's form has been impressive, leading to manager Stephen Robinson being linked with the vacant Northern Ireland job. After this, he insisted he was "fully focussed" on his current job and the mood music seems to be that he is not overly keen on taking reported interest any further. His St Mirren side remain in fourth place and their midfield was the reason they got over the line against United. Baccus, Erhahon, and O'Hara all showed grit and determination alongside impressive attacking contributions. Erhahon had the second-highest final third entries (10), Baccus won possession the most often (8), and O'Hara had 100% passing accuracy into the final third. United, meanwhile, looked a different side when Fletcher was introduced in the 54th minute, evidenced by his goal just four minutes later. He came close to assisting Watt, too, when it was still level. The former Scotland striker accumulated an expected goals mark of 0.43xG on his own - his side's highest despite only having roughly 40 minutes on the pitch. Once he's fully fit, it's hard to not see him starting up to on this form. What they said
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "Overall, I thought we deserved to win. We hit the woodwork a few times and had a goal disallowed through Jonah Ayunga and we scored two, too. "United came back into it, as expected with the squad they have, and we weathered a bit of a storm and then when they scored it ignited us again." Dundee United head coach Liam Fox: "It's a sore one. There were aspects of the game I was pleased with but also stuff we need to work on. That's pretty clear. "We moved the ball well and created some decent chances. Fletcher's introduction was good - he's a top-quality player - and it's good to have him back. It helps the squad, which helps me." What' s next
St Mirren are away to Hibernian on Saturday 29 October (15:00 BST), while Dundee United are at home to Motherwell at the same time.Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text Line-ups
St Mirren
Formation 5-3-21Carson23Strain22Fraser13Gogic18Dunne2Tait17Baccus16Erhahon6O'Hara7Ayunga10Main1Carson23Strain22Fraser13Gogic18Dunne2Tait17Baccus16ErhahonBooked at 57mins Substituted forFlynnat 90+3'minutes6O'Hara7AyungaSubstituted forGreiveat 79'minutes10Main Substitutes
4Shaughnessy8Flynn9Brophy11Kiltie12Henderson21Greive27Urminsky30Taylor32Kenny Dundee Utd
Formation 3-4-1-213Eriksson2Smith12Edwards3McMann7Niskanen10Djoum14Sibbald16Behich18McGrath15Middleton32Watt13Eriksson2Smith12Edwards3McMann7Niskanen Substituted forFletcherat 54'minutes10DjoumBooked at 51minsSubstituted forHarkesat 68'minutes14Sibbald16Behich18McGrath15Middleton32WattSubstituted forAnakuat 70'minutes Substitutes
1Birighitti6Graham8Pawlett9Fletcher17Meekison20Anaku22Freeman23Harkes39ThomsonReferee:Grant IrvineAttendance:6,273 Match Stats
Home TeamSt MirrenAway TeamDundee UtdPossessionHome37%Away63%ShotsHome15Away10Shots on TargetHome2Away3CornersHome6Away6FoulsHome19Away5 Live Text
Post update
Match ends, St. Mirren 2, Dundee United 1.90'+6' Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Mirren 2, Dundee United 1.90'+4' Post update
Ian Harkes (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.90'+4' Post update
Foul by Alex Greive (St. Mirren).90'+3' Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Ryan Flynn replaces Ethan Erhahon.90'+1' Post update
Attempt saved. Curtis Main (St. Mirren) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alex Greive.88' Post update
Attempt missed. Steven Fletcher (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Scott McMann with a cross.86' Post update
Scott McMann (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.86' Post update
Foul by Alex Greive (St. Mirren).83'goal Goal
Goal St. Mirren 2, Dundee United 1. Alex Greive (St. Mirren) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ethan Erhahon with a cross.82' Post update
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Ian Harkes.81' Post update
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Sadat Anaku.80' Post update
Attempt missed. Liam Smith (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Sibbald.79' Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Alex Greive replaces Jonah Ayunga.76' Post update
Offside, Dundee United. Steven Fletcher tries a through ball, but Sadat Anaku is caught offside.74' Post update
Offside, Dundee United. Scott McMann tries a through ball, but Steven Fletcher is caught offside.73' Post update
Scott McMann (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.73' Post update
Foul by Richard Tait (St. Mirren).73' Post update
Attempt blocked. Mark O'Hara (St. Mirren) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ethan Erhahon with a cross.72' Post update
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Carljohan Eriksson.Page 1 of 6rewind previousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforwardPlayer of the match GreiveAlex Greive with an average of 8.33St MirrenSt MirrenSt MirrenDundee UtdDundee UnitedDundee United St Mirren
Avg
Squad number21Player nameGreiveAverage rating8.33Squad number7Player nameAyungaAverage rating 8.03Squad number2Player nameTaitAverage rating 7.92Squad number10Player nameMainAverage rating 7.86Squad number22Player nameFraserAverage rating 7.73Squad number13Player nameGogicAverage rating 7.65Squad number18Player nameDunneAverage rating 7.47Squad number6Player nameO'HaraAverage rating 7.34Squad number8Player nameFlynnAverage rating 7.20Squad number23Player nameStrainAverage rating 7.14Squad number16Player nameErhahonAverage rating 7.11Squad number1Player nameCarsonAverage rating 7.04Squad number17Player nameBaccusAverage rating 6.98 Dundee United
Avg
Squad number9Player nameFletcherAverage rating 7.15Squad number2Player nameSmithAverage rating 6.76Squad number18Player nameMcGrathAverage rating 6.56Squad number14Player nameSibbaldAverage rating 6.49Squad number16Player nameBehichAverage rating 6.39Squad number15Player nameMiddletonAverage rating 6.38Squad number3Player nameMcMannAverage rating 6.36Squad number12Player nameEdwardsAverage rating 6.30Squad number7Player nameNiskanenAverage rating 6.22Squad number32Player nameWattAverage rating 6.17Squad number20Player nameAnakuAverage rating 6.05Squad number10Player nameDjoumAverage rating 5.92Squad number23Player nameHarkesAverage rating 5.81Squad number13Player nameErikssonAverage rating 5.20 Scores Results & Fixtures
Saturday 22nd October 2022
HeartsHeart of Midlothian3CelticCeltic4FTKilmarnockKilmarnock1Ross CountyRoss County0FTMotherwellMotherwell1AberdeenAberdeen2FTRangersRangers1LivingstonLivingston1FTSt MirrenSt Mirren2Dundee UtdDundee United1FTView all Scottish Premiership scores As It Stands
TeamPWDLFAGDPts1Celtic11100139930302Rangers11821271017263Aberdeen1161422166194St Mirren116141214-2195Hibernian125251416-2176Livingston11515913-4167Hearts114251820-2148Motherwell124171516-1139St Johnstone124171317-41310Kilmarnock12336919-101211Dundee Utd122371125-14912Ross County12237620-149View full Scottish Premiership table Top Stories
Video Watch Match of the Day
LiveLive US GP qualifying build-up as Red Bull announce death of co-owner Mateschitz
LiveLiveFrom the section Formula 1 Last-gasp Casemiro earns Man Utd point at Chelsea
2habout 2 hours agoFrom the section Football1297 Comments Elsewhere on the BBC
' It was absolutely reminiscent of Hillsborough'
Panorama investigates events as they unfolded at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final in Paris Have a thrilling movie night tonight
Check out the star-studded selection of films to watch on BBC iPlayer now ' What I discovered surprised me'
The ex-England footballer Paul Merson goes on a reflective walk to confront his demons Around Scottish sport
How to follow your Premiership team on the BBC
The BBC's coverage of every Scottish Premiership team is bigger and better than ever before. Here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment.Video Watch VAR Friend or Foe on iPlayer
Watch BBC Scotland's documentary about VAR's upcoming introduction into Scottish football What now for Scotland after World Cup failure
BBC Scotland examines what comes next for the national side after they fail to qualify for the 2023 Women's World Cup. How cost of living crisis is affecting Scottish football
BBC Scotland finds out how the cost of living crisis is impacting Scottish football at all levels.Video Watch all the Premiership goals & more on iPlayer
Sportscene Goals+ brings you all the best bits from a weekend's Scottish Premiership action. How Brexit changed the way Scottish clubs do deals
Brexit, and the resulting changes around work permits, has changed the transfer market for Scottish Premiership clubs. GB' s Evans takes gold in UCL women' s point race
Watch as Great Britain's Neah Evans takes gold in UCL women's point race in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France Today' s Scottish gossip
Football on BBC Sport Scotland
Everything you need to know about following football with BBC Sport Scotland Explore the BBC
HomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBeebiesCBBCFoodHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureTVWeatherSounds