Aberdeen 1 St Johnstone 1
William Hill Premiership
Saturday 7th December 2024
Pittodrie
Ref: Don Robertson
Attendance: 15880
On another wet and windy afternoon at Pittodrie, the Dons had to settle for a point against a well organised St Johnstone outfit. The visitors opened the scoring in the first half and although Aberdeen’s performance and energy improved after the break, which eventually led to an equaliser, they could not force home a winner.
The Manager brought Leighton Clarkson, Shayden Morris and Jack Milne into the starting XI as he tried to freshen up the side after Wednesday night.
St Johnstone also made three changes after their defeat to Rangers last Sunday, though one of those was a forced late change after defender Bozo Mikulic pulled up in the warm-up.
It was a poor first half from Aberdeen as they struggled with the conditions. They actually started well and had plenty of possession but as the half wore on it was the visitors who were looking the more likely to score after a number of dangerous breaks. Slobodan Rubezic was booked early on as he halted the progress of Benjamin Kimpioka who was looking very lively up top.
After 15 minutes Jack Milne burst into the area and his cross found Kevin Nisbet but the striker was crowded out by blue jersey’s and unable to get a shot away. Milne made a number of dangerous breaks down the right but the Dons were coming up against a blue wall.
On 25 minutes St Johnstone took the lead. After losing the ball in the middle of the park, the visitors broke quickly and Nicky Clark put over a dangerous cross. James McGarry tried to cut it out but unlucky as the ball hit off him and fell kindly for Makenzie Kirk who slotted home. Ross Doohan had no chance.
Things could have got worse for the Dons as Kirk was almost clean through but Gavin Molloy did really well to get back and recover.
Aberdeen’s best chance for an equaliser came towards the end of the half. A dangerous Clarkson free-kick just evaded a number of players including Nilsen right in front of goal, and Rubezic was unable to knock the ball back across the face of goal.
Half-Time: Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone
As ever, the manager did not wait beyond half time to make changes.
Duk, Nisbet and Palaversa were brought on to try and spark some life into the Aberdeen performance. Morris, McGarry and Nilsen the players withdrawn.
After a little bright spell at the start of the half St Johnstone forced a corner which Jack Milne, now playing at left back, did well to clear. The swirling wind was still making life very difficult for defenders. At the other end Jamie McGrath did well to make room on the left and his cross was almost met by Duk at the back post.
54 another St Johnstone break, the defenders allowed the ball to bounce and in the end Doohan did well to push the ball away to safety after a cross came in from the right.
But on 56 Aberdeen were level and it was two of the subs who created it. A quick free kick was played to Palaversa who produced an excellent low ball to the feet of Duk, who then got to the by-line before cutting the ball back which was met by the onrushing Clarkson. A really well worked goal.
The home side suddenly had a spark and Duk almost created another opening a minute later. Clarkson on the hour mark put a curling free kick onto the room of the net. Seconds after that the English midfielder was inches away from getting on the end of a ball over the top.
On 62 minutes, with Clarkson involved again, Nisbet went down inside the area as Aberdeen swept forward. Referee Ross Hardie was not interested and booked Nisbet for a dive. Whilst it did not look a spot kick, the booking looked harsh on first viewing.
64 minutes in, a cross from Milne very landed up in the net, as the wind caught the ball. In the end keeper Josh Rae actually made a really good save, managing to adjust his feet and pulling the ball away from the top corner.
Aberdeen had a good bit of momentum but the Perth side started to come back in the game and once again were looking dangerous on the break.
In the 70th minute nice play between Clarkson and McGrath on the left but Leighton’s low cross was just too close to Rae. From the other side, Duk then came inside and got a shot away which the keeper palmed to safety with Devlin lurking.
A minute later Milne was replaced by Keskinen as Palaversa then put a free kick into the side netting.
St Johnstone then had a free kick wide on the right. The ball was floated in and it took two brilliant saves from Doohan to keep the ball out, when it looked certain the visitors would score.
Aberdeen then broke but frustratingly McGrath was unable to play in Devlin. The right back then produced a goal saving block at the other end seconds later as Kimpioka took aim.
It really was end to end stuff.
With 14 minutes to go Vicente Besuijen replaced Nisbet.
On 81 minutes Clarkson picked out Kesinen but his cross deflected into the air and the keeper took a simple catch.
Palaversa’s long raking diagonal pass found Topi again and he managed to win his tream a corner. However, from the set piece the ball was headed clear and Palaversa was booked for taking down Makenzie Kirk. There was lengthy break in play as he received treatment, a stoppage which neither side probably needed. After another delay Kirk was finally replaced by Graham Carey.
With two minutes to go some good play from Besuijen over on the left but Palaversa’s high ball in was headed wide by Devlin. With six minutes of added time now being played, Besuijen looked to receive a bad injury after jarring his leg in the turf but thankfully was able to continue.
Aberdeen then forced a number of corners. On 93 minutes a corner was cleared as far as Shinnie, his ball in was flick on by McGrath but the Irishman’s effort went wide.
In the 98 minute of added time the visitors won a free kick in a dangerous area on the edge of the area, but Nicky Clark hammered a shot wide.
And that was that. A share of the spoils.
Aberdeen: Doohan, Shinnie, Heltne Nilsen (Palaversa 46′), McGrath, Nisbet (Besuijen 77′), Clarkson, McGarry (Devlin 46′), Morris (Duk 46′), Molloy, Milne (Keskinen 71′), Rubezic.
Subs Not Used: Ritchie, Sokler, MacDonald, Ambrose.
Goal: Clarkson 56′
Booked: Rubezic, Milne, Shinnie, Nisbet
St Johnstone: Rae, Cameron, Sanders, Neilson, Holt, Clark, Wright, Smith (Sidibeh 63′), Sprangler, Kirk (Carey 88′), Kimpioka.
Subs Not Used: Sinclair, Hepburn, Essel, Kucheriavyi, McPake, Keltjens, Franczak.
Goal: Kirk 25′
Booked: Neilson, Sprangler, Clark, Rae.
