Aberdeen 1 - 0 St. Johnstone

They say that laughter is the best medicine, but three points for the Dons won’t have done Peter Leven any harm either as his Aberdeen side completed a comprehensive win over St Johnstone the day after he was forced into hospital.

After defeating Motherwell 1-0 last Saturday, it was an unchanged team for the Dons against St Johnstone. Skipper Graeme Shinnie returned from suspension to take a place on the bench, replacing Jonny Hayes.

St Johnstone were beaten 3-1 by Hibs last weekend and made three changes with Connor Smith, Benjamin Kimpioksa and Drey Wright in for Luke Robinson, Franciszek Franczak and Adama Sidibeh.

After a swift opening from the Dons, it was St Johnstone who picked up the pace with a string of corners and set pieces that created a few moments of pressure in the opening 10 minutes, but Aberdeen were able to clear their lines each time.

Aberdeen were nearly in on 22 minute, a speculative shot from distance by Leighton Clarkson bouncing back into play off Mitov’s chest, but the Saints’ defence were quickest to react, hacking the loose ball clear. From the corner, Junior Hoilett found Stefan Gartenmann unmarked just six yards out, but he put his header over the bar, a real chance gone begging.

Gartenmann got his header absolutely right on 29 minutes, but it was at the other end. Kimpioka twisted into space to fire a shot past Kelle Roos but the Danish centre-half was there on the line to head the ball over the bar, a great piece of defending. From the corner, McGowan headed back across goal but onto the roof of the net.

Bojan Miovski got his first sight of goal on 32 minutes, Dante Polvara producing a lovely ball to pick out Clarkson who then rolled a precise pass to Miovski a dozen yards out, but Mitov comfortably dealt with his shot.

Hoilett was probing again after 38 minutes, looping the ball up to the back post, Miovski only able to head the ball back across the face from a tight angle, Mitov dropping down on the ball.

Just before the break, Hoilett picked Phillips’ pocket 35 yards out and was bearing down on goal from there, Considine having to pull him down on the edge of the box and taking the yellow card. From the free-kick, Hoilett’s effort clipped the top of the wall and thumped against the bar. Gartenmann managed to get something on it as the ball rebounded, but he could only direct it close to Mitov who gobbled the ball up gratefully.

HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 0 ST JOHNSTONE 0

Nicky Devlin was heavily involved in the 48th minute, drifting forward down the right before looping a shot across goal and just wide.

Jamie McGrath nearly broke the deadlock on 54 minutes. Clarkson set Jack MacKenzie on his way and his pull-back was perfect for McGrath. Firing across the face, Mitov saved well at full stretch. From the corner, Hoilett found Angus MacDonald who had a free header but as he tried to guide it just inside the post, Clark manufactured a brilliant clearance off the line.

Mitov was in action again after 58 minutes, a neat one-two with McGrath getting Miovski in, but the angle was tight and Mitov was always favourite to come out on top. On the hour, at the other end, Roos had to be down smartly to save Clark’s drive from distance.

Saints made their first change on 63 minutes with Wright coming off for MacPherson. Two minutes later though, good possession from Aberdeen forced a penalty, Devlin darting into the box and being sandwich by Connor Smith and Considine. VAR finally confirmed the award before Miovski did what comes naturally, rolling the penalty into the bottom corner for 1-0.

Miovski should have had a second five minutes later, McGrath playing him in on goal but the striker dallied too long, allowing three defenders to cluster round him and clear. Aberdeen’s first change followed in the 74th minutes, Shinnie replacing Connor Barron. Kimpioka and Connor Smith made way for Sidibeh and May at the same time.

MacPherson was in the book on 77 minutes after hauling down Shinnie on the edge of the area, before Miovski buried the free-kick into the St Johnstone wall. Polvara then came off for Duk after 79 minutes. Hoilett was booked four minutes later for a late challenge on Gordon.

Miovski was inches away four minutes from time, Clarkson curling in a free-kick from the right, the number nine getting just a bit too much on his glancing header to send the ball skipping beyond the far post.

The visitors could have squared it up in the 89th minute, a free header from eight yards out, right in the middle of the goal, but Sidibeh put it over the bar, much to Aberdeen’s relief.

Killian Phillips joined the action in the 92nd minute, coming on in place of Clarkson and helping the Dons see the game over the line for another important win.