Livingston 2-0 St Johnstone: Livi near top six as St Johnstone continue to stall
- Published
Stephen Kelly curls in a sumptuous free-kick from 25 yards out
Callum Davidson said his St Johnstone side were "not doing what they were asked" in the loss to Livingston, as they went six games without a win in the Scottish Premiership.
Goals from Joel Nouble and Stephen Kelly downed the Perth side, who are now in freefall, as Livi kept their top-six and European dreams alive.
"People always talk about shape and tactics. Sometimes, it's all about heart," the Saints boss told Sportsound after the defeat in West Lothian.
St Johnstone are now five points from the foot of the table, having not won a league game since 18 February.
"It's all about heart and desire to win a game of football and we only showed that second half," said Davidson.
"This was a second-ball game - we knew that and didn't handle it very well.
"We had two or three really good opportunities to score and we didn't. Then it's always going to be an uphill struggle.
"The results have been really poor and no-one has stood up and taken it by the scruff of the neck. Players need to step up."
Home boss David Martindale made four changes to his side, claiming it was his most offensive team this season. He wasn't wrong.
Kelly, Anderson and Steven Bradley all starred, looking irrepressible before Nouble opened the scoring. Anderson slid the ball through to the striker, who stood Drey Wright up before curling past Remi Matthews from the edge of the area.
If that was a good goal, the second was better. Kelly stepped up from 25 yards, curling a free-kick in off the post as he carves a reputation as a dead-ball specialist.
The second half began in much the same fashion, with Anderson dragging two shots towards Matthews when he really should have done better.
St Johnstone did have chances. Half-time substitute Graham Carey almost scored a brace, but he curled the ball over before seeing a half-volley cleared off the line.
Melker Hallberg watched his volley fly inches wide and Wright also missed a great chance when he placed a free header past a post.
Player of the Match - Stephen Kelly
Signing of the season? Livingston fans might say so. Maestro.
Livingston back to their best as Saints woes continue - analysis
Martindale has often pondered what the right formula is for his starting XI. Where does he fit in Nouble, Anderson, Kelly and Bradley? Who misses out?
The answer is, seemingly, none of them. They were electric today, clicking instantly, giving each other confidence and teeing each other up.
It could have easily been more on a day that might be their performance of the season - although there are a few contenders, despite the dip in form in recent weeks.
As for St Johnstone, it is worrying times indeed. They're sliding down the table, winning only twice this calendar year. Five points from the bottom, they're looking ominously over their shoulders.
What they said
Livingston boss David Martindale: "For 60 to 70 minutes, we were really good. The patterns of play, how we got the ball into the front three, their application.
"We scored a fantastic first goal, with great link up from wee Brucie. Today, his all round game was fantastic. No one else sees the amount of work Stephen Kelly puts into scoring that free-kick in training. He gets his just rewards today.
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "Not doing what they were asked, it's really simple. I said 'don't take too many touches in the middle of the park'. That allows them to apply pressure.' This was a second-ball game, we knew that and didn't handle it very well.
"People always talk about shape and tactics. Sometimes, it's all about heart. We were a wee bit open today in the back four. It's all about heart and desire to win a game of football and we only showed that second half.
What's next?
Livingston visit Dundee United next Saturday while St Johnstone host Hibernian the same day (both 15:00 BST).