DUNDEE United have taken the high ground in three successive Tayside derbies and remain camped at the summit of the SPFL Premiership table.
Defeat for Inverness Caledonian Thistle yesterday has allowed United to hold top spot on their own, a view their supporters can enjoy courtesy of this comfortable win over St Johnstone, which was earned through a goal in either half from Chris Erskine and Paul Paton.
Only one defeat tarnishes their season so far - a 6-1 trouncing at Celtic Park last month - with this victory accounting for their sixth since the new term began. The two before that both came against neighbours Dundee.
The grass has appeared greener on this side of Tannadice Street, the first team having been tended to assiduously by manager Jackie McNamara and his coaching staff. There is evidence of this in how Erskine has come into bloom. The forward has returned from a Partick Thistle loan spell possessed of both shrewd ability and confidence.
He displayed both traits when he put United ahead after 23 minutes. As the home side sought to break from a corner, Nadir Ciftci turned Brian Easton on the halfway line and ran at goal, with Erskine catching up just in time to collect a pass in the box and steer the ball low into the net.
"The difference for him as been confidence, although Chris will probably also say it has been getting a chance from me," said McNamara, of a player who has scored four times this season. "But he's been patient and we are getting the benefits of that now."
United's second goal in 72 minutes was as tidily constructed as the first. Ciftci and Keith Watson combined on the edge of the penalty area, the latter sliding a pass towards the front post for Paton to score off a post.
St Johnstone have been beset by so many injuries that their team sheet should be issued alongside a doctor's line - Steven MacLean and Tam Scobbie are both out long-term, while Scott Brown was listed as a substitute despite a knock - and their line-up was required to be adjusted before kick-off after Chris Millar succumbed to a groin injury during the warm- up. Murray Davidson, himself having returned only this week from a knee operation, was promoted from the bench as a result.
His tenacity in midfield was a reminder of what St Johnstone have been missing. Similarly, Simon Lappin's wayward finishing and a shot by Michael O'Halloran which struck a post conjured up images of the goal machine that was the dearly departed Stevie May, a fact not lost on Tommy Wright.
"We need to get a bit more ruthless," said the St Johnstone manager, who has arranged for a striker to come in on trial this week.
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