St Johnstone rallied from two lost leads to clinch a 4-3 win in a seven‑goal spectacle on their Scottish Premiership homecoming against Kilmarnock. Manager Simo Valakari’s bold tactical changes after falling behind 3-2 proved decisive in the second half, turning the tide in favour of the hosts. When Louis Lloyd entered the fray, his very first touch forced Michael Schjonning‑Larsen into an own‑goal, giving the Saints a vital lifeline. Shortly thereafter, Kai Fotheringham, who had just broken his top‑flight duck, tucked away a decisive strike to seal the triumph for the side that lifted the Championship title last season.
Kilmarnock initially allowed St Johnstone to dominate possession, hoping to frustrate the visitors. However, a mis‑step from Aaron Tshibola at the half‑way line gifted the home side space to launch a swift counter‑attack, resulting in a 16th‑minute lead. Sam Stanton seized the moment, winning the ball and threading it to Ruari Paton, who released Jamie Gullan on an overlapping run. Gullan’s cut‑back found Fowler in the box, and the 24‑year‑old, a former Queen’s Park standout, slotted a left‑foot finish eight yards from goal.
The Saints continued to press, creating numerous chances, but Killie equalised just before the hour‑mark. Erik Ring’s inswinging cross was inadvertently deflected by Tom Lowery’s head, while the Saints’ defenders were preoccupied with Tyreece John‑Jules, allowing Greg Kiltie to arrive unnoticed at the far post. Kiltie rose to meet the ball and fired a six‑yard strike past goalkeeper Toby Steward to level the scores.
St Johnstone restored their advantage two minutes into the second half. Fowler’s pressure forced Jamie Brandon into a corner, and from the resulting set‑piece Jamie Gullan delivered a deep ball that Cheick Diabate met with a powerful header, sending the ball into the net. The lead, however, proved fleeting.
Six minutes later, Steward hesitated on a right‑wing cross, leaving himself stranded in a dangerous zone. Joe Hugill’s touch looped the ball over the on‑loan Portsmouth keeper and into the net, handing Killie the lead once again.
The momentum swung back to Kilmarnock when Nicky Clescenco cut inside from the left, forcing Steward into a one‑handed save. The rebound fell to Jason Holt, whose unfortunate deflection resulted in an own‑goal, re‑equalising the match. Valakari responded with a trio of attacking substitutions, the most daring being Lloyd for Reece McAlear. Within seconds, Gullan’s expertly taken set‑piece slipped between goalkeeper Max Stryjek and his defence.
Lloyd, on his first touch, struck the ball, which ricocheted off Schjonning‑Larsen and into the net, giving St Johnstone a 3-2 lead. The substitutes continued to trouble the visitors, and the decisive moment arrived when Fotheringham and Fowler combined. Fotheringham, a former Dundee United forward, shifted the ball onto his right foot, evaded Bailey Rice, and unleashed a low, hard shot that beat Stryjek, sealing a 4-3 victory. After the match, Valakari reflected on the performance: "It was a test of character.
Would we be a team that plays attractive football in the Premiership but concedes goals and loses? Our lads took control from the start, pushed the opposition back and scored a good goal. We were disappointed to go into half‑time level, and it was a test after we fell 3-2 down quickly. The way the players kept pushing until the final whistle was excellent.
That's what football is about – emotion and suffering at different stages of the game. The Premiership is a different beast; there was a lot of talk about that. We faced a well‑coached side.
We won’t get carried away – we know how thin the margins are. All we take from this match are three points.
There are many areas we need to improve, but as a football fan and a romantic, it was a beautiful match. I never doubted the character of my players."