Josh Fowler delivered a decisive first‑half brace that helped St Johnstone edge Hibernian 2‑1, lifting the Saints above their rivals in the league standings. Fowler opened the scoring with a close‑range finish after just 16 minutes and later converted a penalty to restore the lead after Nathan Lowe had levelled for the visitors, securing St Johnstone’s second victory of the season. Although Hibernian dominated large portions of the second half, Simo Valakari’s side stood firm and clung to the advantage, moving into seventh place on the table. Fowler, who had come off the bench to earn a late equaliser in the mid‑week Dundee match, fully justified his reinstatement to the starting eleven.
The opening goal came almost immediately after the whistle. Hibs eased off Jason Holt, allowing the Perth captain to make a run into the 18‑yard area. He laid the ball off to Taylor Steven, whose low cross glanced off the heel of Adam Mayor and landed at Fowler’s feet on the back post.
The striker adjusted to the deflection and slipped a right‑footed shot past goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger to put the home side ahead. The advantage was short‑lived. In the 29th minute, a careless pass from Reece McAlear in the centre of the park fell to Miguel Chaiwa, who released Nathan Lowe on a sprint.
The on‑loan Stoke forward then slotted a low finish between Toby Steward and the right‑hand post, drawing Hibs level. St Johnstone responded quickly, shrugging off the setback. Four minutes before the break, Bosnian full‑back Enes Alic drove into the box and was nudged over by Martin Boyle.
Fowler seized the rebound, blasting his fourth Premiership goal of the campaign into the bottom right corner, sending Sallinger the wrong way and restoring the lead. The second half saw Fowler come close to completing a hat‑trick on two occasions before being withdrawn in the 72nd minute. Despite his early exit, Hibernian pressed hard for an equaliser.
Substitute Kanayo Megwa, who replaced the injured Grant Hanley, met a corner with a powerful header at the back post, only to be denied by a spectacular one‑handed save from Toby Steward on the line. Valakari’s side responded by bringing on Matty Todd and reshaping the formation into a back five to weather the Hibs onslaught. The Saints endured a few frantic defensive moments, but a crucial intervention from substitute Thibault Klidje, who forced a mistake from Ante Suto, helped steady the ship.
Alic continued to test Sallinger, forcing a fine save as St Johnstone threatened on the break. Ultimately, Valakari’s men held out, securing the win and consigning Hibernian to consecutive defeats. Post‑match, St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari praised the performance: "It was a good win and an important win.
I think we did everything across the 90 minutes. In the first half we played excellent football, progressing our passes and were very solid. In the second half we had to show the other side of our game – this grittiness and readiness to put our bodies on the line and block shots. Toby had to make a couple of big saves.
Josh is showing that he can score goals at this level. I have never doubted that – and Josh himself never doubted that. Of course, strikers live for goals and when you score them you get so much confidence." Hibernian boss David Gray reflected on his side’s shortcomings: "The biggest thing for me is the manner in which the first half went for us – again.
It was summed up in the way we conceded the two goals. A lack of desire to stop somebody advancing past you, gambling in the box, guessing in the box.
Then a needless penalty that we gave away. They were poor goals.
But the players went to the end and we created a few chances. I certainly can't sit here and say we deserved to win the game.
Back‑to‑back defeats is tough to take. And, understandably so, criticism will be there." The victory not only provided three points but also a morale boost for a St Johnstone squad that has struggled to find consistency early in the campaign.
Fowler’s clinical finishing, combined with disciplined defending and timely substitutions, highlighted the team’s growing cohesion under Valakari. As the season progresses, the Saints will look to build on this performance, aiming to climb further up the table and secure a place in the upper half of the Scottish Premiership. Meanwhile, Hibernian must regroup quickly. The back‑to‑back losses underscore defensive frailties and a need for sharper concentration in the final third.
Gray’s comments suggest a willingness to address the tactical lapses that led to the conceded goals, particularly the lack of urgency in closing down opponents and the ill‑judged penalty that proved costly. Both clubs now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with St Johnstone hoping to maintain momentum and Hibs seeking redemption after a disappointing run of results.