St Mirren 4-0 St Johnstone: Paisley side go six clear in third in Scottish Premiership
- Published
Keanu Baccus' strike was the only moment of class in the first half
St Mirren continued their splendid start to the season, as they comfortably coasted past bottom-placed St Johnstone to consolidate third place in the Scottish Premiership.
The first half desperately lacked quality until Australian international Keanu Baccus whipped the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Mikael Mandron's second-half double - both composed finishes when one-on-one - put the hosts into an unassailable lead, before Greg Kiltie added some gloss with a back-post tap-in.
The result puts Stephen Robinson's side six points clear in third, behind second-placed Rangers on goal difference only.
"We were very clinical," he said. "We've played a lot better than that and the scoreline is harsh on St Johnstone but when we got our opportunities we took them."
St Johnstone remain bottom of the table, five points adrift of 11th-placed Ross County.
This was just a second competitive game in four weeks for the Perth strugglers, but they started a little brighter in an almost entirely forgettable first half.
The only moment of note was St Mirren's first shot at goal, which flew in off the boot of Baccus. A fine strike from a fine player, from a side full of confidence.
If that goal was a gut punch for the league's basement-dwellers, the second floored them. James Brown tried to chest the ball back to his keeper and instead played it straight into the path of Mandron, who slotted home.
From there, St Johnstone needed two goals for a point. Considering they've only scored three all season, the size of the task seemed gargantuan.
It only got bigger when Toyosi Olusanya - brought on to stretch the play - ran in behind and squared to Mandron, who blasted in his second.
From there, the fourth seemed inevitable. It came in the dying throes when Olusanya's shinned volley hit the back post and Kiltie was on hand to tap in.
Player of the match - Mikael Mandron (St Mirren)
The big man was in lethal form and didn't waste a chance as he put St Johnstone to the sword
Lifeless St Johnstone continue decline - analysis
There's a long way to go, of course, but with each passing week it seems like the writing is on the wall for St Johnstone.
Unable to score, they've relied on solidity at the back to pick up the four draws that have provided their only points this season.
So as soon as St Mirren's first goal went in, it seemed the visitors were resigned to another defeat.
As for the side that scored, that Baccus strike put the swagger back in their play. Comfortably the third best team in the country this season, it was a question of how many they would score in the second half.
Robinson's game plan worked perfectly, the introduction of Olusanya was a masterstroke, and almost every player nailed their role.
What they said
'Some St Johnstone players should be ashamed'
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "I'm very happy with the result. We were very clinical. We've played a lot better than that and the scoreline is harsh on St Johnstone but when we got our opportunities we took them.
"First half, there was nothing in the game, not a lot of quality on show. Second half, we stepped it up. We created chances and played like we can do.
"The whole club is raising expectations both on and off the pitch. It's a tough game on Wednesday, but Hibs have shown today that Celtic aren't invincible. We go there with confidence."
St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean: "It's my responsibility, my team, and they weren't good enough all over the pitch. They need to get better in all areas.
"Individuals are not taking responsibility. I take responsibility, but it's poor. Some of them should be ashamed of their performances. Individual errors, battling qualities, fight... it isn't good enough.
"You can't dress it up but the goals that we concede are criminal. We'll watch it back but some players might be lucky to play again for me. It's as simple as that."
What's next?
St Mirren visit league leaders Celtic on Wednesday, while St Johnstone host Kilmarnock at the same time (19:45 GMT).