St Johnstone found themselves twice in the position of relinquishing a lead before ultimately rallying to claim a 4-3 win in a seven‑goal spectacle against Kilmarnock on their return to the Scottish Premiership at McDiarmid Park. The match turned on the bold tactical changes made by manager Simo Valakari after his side fell behind 3-2 in the second half, a decision that reshaped the outcome in the final minutes. The breakthrough for the home side came almost immediately after the first substitution. Louis Lloyd, who entered the fray for Reece McAlear, struck the ball with his very first touch and forced Michael Schjonning‑Larsen into an own‑goal, giving St Johnstone the lead they desperately needed.
A few minutes later, Kai Fotheringham, a former Dundee United forward, sealed the victory with what was not only his first top‑flight goal but also the decisive fourth for the newly promoted side. Kilmarnock, comfortable with allowing the Saints to dominate possession early in the game, tried to frustrate their opponents by sitting deep. However, a careless slip from Aaron Tshibola at the half‑way line handed the hosts space to launch a swift counter‑attack, resulting in a 16th‑minute opening goal.
Sam Stanton seized the moment, winning the ball and laying it off to Ruari Paton, who then released Jamie Gullan on an overlapping run. Gullan’s cut‑back found the unmarked Fowler eight yards from goal, and his left‑foot finish gave St Johnstone a 1-0 advantage. Fowler, who had enjoyed a prolific spell with Queen’s Park in the previous season’s Championship, has struggled to replicate that form since joining the Saints in January. Nonetheless, the 24‑year‑old demonstrated that his instinct for goal remains sharp, adding a clinical finish to the scoresheet.
The home side continued to dominate, creating numerous chances, but Kilmarnock fought back. In the 37th minute, Erik Ring delivered an inswinging cross that was inadvertently headed down by Tom Lowery. While Saints defenders were preoccupied with Tyreece John‑Jules, Greg Kiltie arrived at the far post and tapped the ball past goalkeeper Toby Steward from six yards out, leveling the match. St Johnstone responded swiftly after the break.
Fowler’s pressure forced Jamie Brandon into conceding a corner, and Jamie Gullan’s deep delivery was met by a powerful header from Cheick Diabate, restoring the lead for the hosts just two minutes into the second half. The advantage was short‑lived. Six minutes later, Steward hesitated while dealing with a cross from the right, leaving him stranded. Joe Hugill, on loan from Portsmouth, took advantage, looping the ball over the indecisive keeper and into the net to make it 2-3.
Kilmarnock then capitalised on the momentum shift. Nicky Clescenco cut inside from the left, forcing Steward into a one‑handed save. The rebound fell to Jason Holt, whose unlucky touch deflected off his own leg and resulted in an own‑goal, giving St Johnstone a 3-3 draw. Valakari’s third substitution proved decisive.
He introduced Lloyd for McAlear, a move that paid immediate dividends. From a set‑piece delivered by Gullan, the ball dropped between goalkeeper Max Stryjek and his back line.
Lloyd, with his first touch, nudged the ball onto Schjonning‑Larsen, who inadvertently turned it into his own net, putting the Saints ahead once more. The substitutes continued to trouble the visitors.
In the dying moments, Fotheringham and Fowler combined, with the former shifting the ball onto his right foot, sidestepping Bailey Rice and unleashing a low, hard shot past Stryjek to clinch a 4-3 win. After the match, Valakari reflected on the roller‑coaster encounter: "It was a test of character. Would we be a team that plays attractive football in the Premiership but concedes goals and loses? Our boys took control from the start, pushed the opponent back and scored a good goal.
We were disappointed to go into half‑time level and it was a test after we went 3-2 down very quickly. The way the players kept pushing until the end was very good.
That's what football is about – emotions and suffering at different phases of the game. The Premiership is different; there was a lot of talk about that. We were up against a well‑coached side.
We won't get carried away – we know how thin the margins are. All we have from this match is three points. We know there are many areas to improve. But, as a football fan and a football romantic, it was a beautiful match.
I never doubted the character of my players."