Josh Fowler delivered a first‑half brace that propelled St Johnstone to a 2-1 triumph over Hibernian, lifting the Saints 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 St Johnstone's second victory of the season. Although Hibernian dominated large portions of the second half, manager Simo Valakari's side held firm to preserve a 2-1 win and climb into seventh place.
Fowler, who had come off the bench to net a late equaliser in the midweek Dundee match, fully justified his recall to the starting eleven. The striker struck with the opening chance of the game.
Hibs eased off Jason Holt, allowing the Perth captain to make a run into the 18‑yard area and play a low cross to Taylor Steven. The ball glanced off Adam Mayor's heel and fell to Fowler at the back post, where he adjusted his body and slotted a right‑footed finish past goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
The advantage was short‑lived. In the 29th minute, a wayward pass from Reece McAlear in midfield was intercepted by Miguel Chaiwa, who released Nathan Lowe on a swift break. The on‑loan Stoke forward placed a low shot between Toby Steward and the right‑hand post, equalising for Hibs.
St Johnstone responded swiftly, 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 nudged over by Martin Boyle, setting Fowler up for his fourth Premiership goal of the campaign. He drove the ball into the bottom‑right corner, sending Sallinger the wrong way.
Early in the second half Fowler came close to completing a hat‑trick, only to be denied by a series of defensive interventions. At the 72‑minute mark he was withdrawn for tactical reasons, but his influence had already set the tone for the match.
For much of the second period Hibernian appeared the more likely side to score. Substitute Kanayo Megwa, who replaced the injured Grant Hanley, met a corner with a powerful header at the back post, but Toby Steward produced a spectacular one‑handed save to keep the ball out of the net.
Valakari introduced Matty Todd and reorganised the Saints into a back five to weather the Hibs onslaught. The defensive reshuffle led to a few frantic moments, but the home side were relieved when substitute Thibault Klidje forced an error from opponent Ante Suto, creating a promising chance that ultimately went unanswered.
Alic continued to test Sallinger, forcing another fine save as St Johnstone looked to exploit the counter‑attack. In the end, Valakari's men managed to see out the victory, consigning Hibernian to a second consecutive defeat.
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 showed the other side of our game – the grit, the willingness to put our bodies on the line and block shots.
Toby had to make a couple of big saves. Josh is proving he can score at this level. I have never doubted that, and he never doubts it himself.
Strikers live for goals, and when you score you gain huge confidence." Hibernian 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 by the way we conceded the two goals: a lack of desire to stop someone advancing, gambling in the box, guessing in the box.
Then a needless penalty that we gave away – they were poor goals. The players fought until the end and created a few chances, but I certainly can't sit here and say we deserved to win. Back‑to‑back defeats are tough to take, and criticism will inevitably follow." The match also featured a reminder to viewers to use the Chrome browser for an accessible video player, and a promotional note about the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million for free entry.