When St Johnstone play Dundee United, recent history would suggest that the Perth men are more than capable of winning the Tayside derby.
However, while Saturday’s result was not a big surprise, Saints’ overwhelming superiority was.
They were simply better in every department while the Tangerines struggled to find any fluency or cohesion throughout.
Alan Mannus was a virtual spectator in the St Johnstone goal as United huffed and puffed to little effect.
For Saints boss Tommy Wright, it was a welcome result after five games without a win and keeps his team well in the hunt for a top six finish.
For his United counterpart Jackie McNamara, the nature of the loss will possibly be as worrying as the defeat itself.
He had selected a side that looked more than capable of coping with Saints’ physical threat but there was precious little craft and flair on display.
Of course, the “elephant in the room” was once again the issue of the departed Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, and the difference they might have made to the display and result.
However, the simple fact remains that they are now Celtic players and as such it is the responsibility of those still at Tannadice to step up to the plate.