Josh Fowler’s two‑goal haul in the opening half proved decisive as St Johnstone edged Hibernian 2‑1, lifting them above their rivals in the league standings. Fowler opened the scoring early, finding the net from close range after just 16 minutes, and later converted a penalty to restore the lead after Nathan Lowe had levelled for the visitors, securing the Saints’ second win of the season. Although Hibs dominated large portions of the second half, Simo Valakari’s side stood firm and held on for a 2‑1 triumph that propelled them into seventh place. Fowler, who had come off the bench to net a late equaliser against Dundee earlier in the week, fully justified his reinstatement to the starting eleven.
The striker struck with the very first opportunity of the match. Hibs eased off Jason Holt, allowing the Perth captain to make a run into the 18‑yard box where he received a low cross from Taylor Steven. The ball glanced off the heel of Adam Mayor and fell to Fowler at the far post, where he calmly tucked a right‑footed finish past goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger. That early brilliance was briefly undone in the 29th minute when a careless pass from Reece McAlear in midfield was intercepted by Miguel Chaiwa.
The Stoke‑loaned forward raced clear and slid a low shot between Toby Steward and the right‑hand post, giving Hibs a 1‑0 lead. St Johnstone responded quickly, shrugging off the setback and reclaiming the lead just four minutes before the break. Bosnian full‑back Enes Alic drove into the box and was fouled by Martin Boyle, earning a penalty. Fowler stepped up and, with composure, dispatched his fourth Premiership goal of the campaign into the bottom right corner, sending Sallinger the wrong way.
The second half saw Fowler come close to completing a hat‑trick on two occasions before he was withdrawn in the 72nd minute. Despite his absence, Hibs appeared the more threatening side for much of the period.
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 Steward. St Johnstone introduced Matty Todd and reverted to a five‑man defence in an effort to blunt the Hibs attack, though a few frantic defensive moments tested their resolve. The hosts breathed a sigh of relief when substitute Thibault Klidje forced an error from Hibs defender Ante Suto, creating a clear chance that was ultimately missed. Alic continued to trouble Sallinger, forcing another fine save as the Saints launched several counter‑attacks.
In the end, Valakari’s men managed to see out the win, consigning Hibernian to a second consecutive defeat. Post‑match, St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari praised his side’s performance: "It was a good win and an important win. I think we did everything right across the 90 minutes. In the first half we played some 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." Hibs boss David Gray reflected on the defeat, acknowledging the team'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.
But 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." Overall, the match highlighted Fowler’s growing importance to the Saints’ attack and underscored St Johnstone’s ability to grind out results when needed. Their resilience in defending the lead, combined with a timely penalty conversion, ensured three points that could prove pivotal in the tightly contested Scottish Premiership race.