Jim Goodwin revealed a tactical tweak helped Dundee United secure their first Scottish Premiership win of the season against St Johnstone at Tannadice on Saturday.
The Terrors boss conceded that his side were second best in the first half but were much better after the break as they took the lead through on-loan Liverpool wing-back Luca Stephenson.
Saints were then reduced to 10 men when Adama Sidibeh was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards and received another red for lashing out at Kevin Holt as he walked off.
United then wrapped up the points thanks to a Jack Sanders own goal after a Ross Graham long throw.
Goodwin said: “Over the piece I thought we just about deserved to win the game.
“The first half was scrappy from both teams, although St Johnstone were probably the better team.
“We caused our own problems, put ourselves under unnecessary pressure with too many backpasses.
“We caused ourselves one or two issues so we knocked that on the head and got the ball forward quicker.
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“As much as St Johnstone were the better team in the first half, I thought we were by far the better team in the second.
“The goal was the first moment of real quality we had in the game, both teams had cancelled each other out until then.
“It was a great finish from Luca. It wasn’t as easy a finish as he made it look, the ball was quite high but he got his body over it.
“He’s been excellent since coming in, defensively he’s solid but also a really good attacking outlet for us. I’m delighted with him.”
St Johnstone boss Craig Levein was annoyed by the way his side conceded two goals while passing up chances of their own.
He said: “The two goals were very, very preventable. We had been dealing with the long throw reasonably comfortably.
“It’s one that got away today, I feel we deserved something from the game.
“But goals are the deciding factor – we had chances and didn’t score, United had theirs and scored. That’s why we get nothing.”
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Levein also revealed that he intends to be active in the transfer market this week before the window closes on Friday.
He added: “We definitely need another centre-back, cover on the left side and maybe a winger too. I’ll be hoping to do some business.”
