Match ends, St. Johnstone 1, Aberdeen 2.
St JohnstoneSt Johnstone1AberdeenAberdeen2
Aberdeen secured Europa League football for next season with a hard-fought win over St Johnstone in Perth.
Ryan Christie shot the visitors into a 19th-minute lead, with Tam Scobbie then diverting a Jonny Hayes cross into his own net before the interval.
Danny Swanson replied from the penalty spot after a trip on Steven MacLean.
Saints pressed hard for an equaliser but the team in fourth can no longer overhaul second-placed Aberdeen, who stay nine points ahead of Rangers.
With both previous league meetings between these sides this season ending goalless, fans could have been forgiven for taking their seats in hope more than any real expectation.
But there was nothing cagey about the impressive start from the visitors.
Determined Dons
Aberdeen were keen to exorcise the ghost of last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to Rangers and, from the first whistle, their spirit was unquestionable.
On-loan Christie started in place of Niall McGinn, who is nursing a groin problem that leaves him a doubt for the Scottish Cup semi-final with Hibs next Saturday, and it took the midfielder just 15 minutes to make his mark.
Christie jinked delicately past two defenders and after powering into the box he lashed a shot past Alan Mannus. It was just reward for early Aberdeen dominance.
Hayes was providing the width for Aberdeen as usual, and the Irishman was the creator of his side's second. He whipped in a tantalising cross from the left and when Scobbie tried to clear it, he turned it into his own net from two yards.
Saints respond
Other sides may have crumbled but Tommy Wright's teams have never lacked belief and they came out after the break like men possessed.
Shortly before the break, Blair Alston made way for Danny Swanson, who was back in the squad following his two-week suspension for his now infamous altercation with team-mate Richard Foster, who started.
It was a substitution that changed the dynamic of the game completely and before long the home side had pulled one back. Anthony O'Connor pulled down MacLean and Swanson converted from the spot.
As the net bulged, nerves set in for Aberdeen, who now knew they were in a fight.
Cup-tie conclusion
It was played like a cup tie after that with the home side sensing things were swinging their way. They found a vigour that was missing in the first 45 minutes and rocked Aberdeen back on their heels.
Derek McInnes's side remained focused though and showed good game management to hold out in the face of intense pressure.
In the race for second it could be a big three points the Dons and rarely have they battled harder for victory.
Post-match reaction
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright: "We didn't start at all and I thought we gave Aberdeen far too much respect. They were poor goals to lose from our point of view.
"Realistically we can't compete with a club like Aberdeen in terms of budget, but we gave them too much respect and that's what's disappointing.
"We go into the split with our tails up though. We have a four point lead over Hearts and all our focus is now on finishing in fourth spot."
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "The players deserve so much credit. We deservedly went ahead and dominated the first 30 minutes.
"We are just annoyed how we started the second half and then when they get the penalty a lot of people will have been asking how will they react but I thought we stood up to it well. We never controlled the second half but I thought we deserved all three points.
"It's another game chalked off with five to go. We just wanted to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we got back to winning ways.
"For too long Aberdeen haven't been playing any meaningful games near the end of the season but having the challenge in the cup and teams challenging us in the league has been good for us."
Line-ups
St Johnstone
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Mannus
- 19Foster
- 14Shaughnessy
- 3Scobbie
- 24Easton
- 4AlstonSubstituted forSwansonat 37'minutes
- 18Paton
- 26CraigBooked at 22minsSubstituted forDavidsonat 65'minutes
- 10WotherspoonBooked at 67mins
- 17CoulsonSubstituted forThomsonat 70'minutes
- 9MacLeanBooked at 84mins
Substitutes
- 6Anderson
- 7Millar
- 8Davidson
- 11Swanson
- 12Clark
- 15Smith
- 27Thomson
Aberdeen
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1LewisBooked at 57mins
- 2Logan
- 5Taylor
- 15O'Connor
- 4Considine
- 22Jack
- 3Shinnie
- 8ChristieSubstituted forPawlettat 78'minutes
- 7McLean
- 11HayesSubstituted forStockleyat 90+1'minutes
- 9Rooney
Substitutes
- 6Reynolds
- 16Pawlett
- 17Stockley
- 25Alexander
- 26Wright
- 27Ross
- 39Storey
- Referee:
- Bobby Madden
- Attendance:
- 5,132
Match Stats
Home TeamSt JohnstoneAway TeamAberdeen
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 1, Aberdeen 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Paul Paton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jayden Stockley (Aberdeen).
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Jayden Stockley replaces Jonny Hayes.
Post update
Craig Thomson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen).
Post update
Paul Paton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen).
Post update
Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
Post update
Richard Foster (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen).
Booking
Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Kenny McLean (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Peter Pawlett replaces Ryan Christie.
Post update
Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
Post update
Ryan Christie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
