Shankland stunner earns United draw

Lawrence Shankland’s 53-yard surprise purpose salvaged a draw for Dundee United in opposition to St Johnstone in a vigorous Scottish Premiership encounter at Tannadice.

It hauled United – who had led by way of Louis Appere – again stage after headers from Guy Melamed and Chris Kane edged St Johnstone in entrance.

The equaliser, which was struck from extensive on the precise of the pitch and measured at 52.98 yards out, was a becoming tribute to United’s legendary supervisor Jim McLean in his former aspect’s first house match since his loss of life.

A draw retains Dundee United in sixth place, three factors behind Livingston having performed two additional video games, and St Johnstone keep ninth, three factors from backside spot.

The type of each side didn’t foretell the standard of the match, with St Johnstone winless in 9 league matches, and United with simply two victories in the identical interval. The final two conferences between the edges had each been forgettable goalless attracts too.

But the house aspect, who’re beginning to present a extra adventurous aspect to their recreation, began strongly and produced a slick transfer to carve open the primary purpose.

Liam Smith fed Nicky Clark, whose one-two with Shankland allowed him to drive to the byeline and ship throughout purpose, the place Appere was ready to show house.

But till Shankland’s ridiculous intervention, that strike was the height of United’s fluency as St Johnstone impressively wrestled management of the match.

Melamed, the summer season signing from Maccabi Netanya, has been a peripheral determine to this point this season however was a menace all evening for the guests, and he took full benefit when United didn’t observe his run at a nook to go house from six yards.

The striker was additionally concerned within the build-up to his aspect’s second purpose, as he outmuscled Lewis Neilson earlier than establishing David Wotherspoon to cross fantastically for Kane to look the ball into the underside nook.

Both groups – who common fewer than one purpose per recreation this time period – attacked the second half, nevertheless it was St Johnstone who continued to carve open the higher alternatives.

Melamed compelled a high-quality cease from Benjamin Siegrist within the house purpose, and may need finished higher together with his end when gifted a path to purpose by a poor move, whereas Wotherspoon additionally had additional efforts saved.

But it was Shankland’s ridiculous purpose which stole the present. The 25-year-old had solely scored thrice all season previous to this match, which illustrates how irritating a marketing campaign he has had.

He had no margin for error as he tried to catch Clark off guard, and duly dispatched to remind everybody precisely what he’s able to.

Man of the match – Guy Melamed

What did we be taught?

Shankland’s nonetheless obtained it. A prolific scorer at Championship stage, his influence within the top-flight has been unremarkable to this point. In his defence, he started the season injured and United’s ways have been on the conservative aspect, which implies he has usually been remoted up entrance.

But supervisor Micky Mellon has spoken not too long ago of a swap to a extra proactive method, which was in proof right here, and if it continues Shankland, together with his ending prowess, will certainly shine.

As for St Johnstone, they’re 10 video games with no win within the league however proceed to show in good performances. They, very similar to United, draw lots of video games – that is now 5 of their final 10 – often attributable to a failure to take their possibilities.

Melamed appears to be like like he might be the participant to switch a few of these stalemates into wins. He seemed sharp within the field, and obtained in goal-scoring positions repeatedly. Manager Callum Davidson will hope extra minutes on the pitch will sharpen his ending.

What they mentioned

Dundee United supervisor Micky Mellon: “The second half was crying out for that wee bit of quality, which you certainly saw with Lawrence Shankland’s goal.

“He is aware of what he’ll do earlier than the ball involves him and he executes it brilliantly. If there’s many higher objectives than that this season then I’ll be delighted to see them.”

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “I assumed we had been most likely the dominant crew. We most likely ought to’ve taken our possibilities after we had them to see the sport out.

“Sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up and say, ‘what a goal’. There’s no blame on Zander Clark.”

What’s subsequent?

Dundee United journey to Lanarkshire to play Hamilton Academical on Saturday (15:00 GMT), whereas St Johnstone host St Mirren on the similar time.