Birthday boy Andy Considine was ordered off within minutes as former club Aberdeen celebrated a one-goal win in Perth.
Ten-man St Johnstone were unable to keep the Dons from opening their account on the half hour mark through a combination of Angus MacDonald and home goalkeeper Remi Matthews.
There were plenty of battling qualities on show from Callum Davidson’s side but, short of a player, they were unable to haul themselves back into the contest - despite a late push.
David Wotherspoon, making his 350th appearance for his boyhood club, had been playing architect as early as the second minute.
It was his right-footed corner which dropped nicely for skipper Liam Gordon. Kelle Roos saved well before also denying Ryan McGowan’s follow-up.
This had been an entertaining opening although Saints were about to be a man short when Considine, on his 36th birthday, was sent off after a fourth minute VAR check.
He was deemed guilty of pulling back Bojan Miovski. There was no denying his hand made contact with the forward’s shoulder. But enough to bring him tumbling down?
Initially referee Colin Steven had awarded a penalty but this, too, was changed. A free-kick was the final decision. Aberdeen made a mess of it.
Soon after Ylber Ramadani struck the outside of the post and, later, MacDonald forced a smart save out of Matthews with a glancing header.
MacDonald proved dangerous again on the half hour mark, flicking a Jonny Hayes corner goalwards with his right boot.
Matthews made a clever front post stop, but his foot then diverted the ball backwards and it trundled into the net to give the Dons the lead.
As half-time approached Perth players were calling for Aberdeen to be reduced to 10 men when Miovski went in high on Gordon. A brief VAR check - no monitor visit required - said no.
There was little attacking threat on show from Saints after the break but, similarly, those in red were not littering Matthews’ goal with much attention.
Graham Carey entered the action on 64 minutes, replacing Zak Rudden, as the home men searched for a sniff of goal.
One did arrive when Stevie May’s cross was perfect for the run of Melker Hallberg. He nodded into the ground but straight at Roos.
Dan Phillips then went for glory from distance but his effort was well over the crossbar.
Substitute Ryan Duncan went close to doubling Aberdeen’s lead with 10 minutes remaining but his powerful drive whistled by the far post.
A wonderful opportunity arrived for Saints on 86 minutes following a quick free-kick which sent sub Jamie Murphy into a promising area. He squared for Hallberg who fluffed his lines.
Graeme Shinnie was then ordered off - he picked up a second caution - before, deep into stoppage time, Gordon's header was clawed out expertly by Roos.
