Hibernian 1-2 St Johnstone: Hibs slim top six hopes alive despite defeat
- Published
Hibernian's Rocky Bushiri (L) and Myziane Maoliday look dejected during a cinch Premiership match between Hibernian and St Johnstone
Hibernian's Scottish Premiership top-six hopes remain alive despite losing to struggling St Johnstone at Easter Road.
Adama Sidibeh put the visitors in front early in the second half, finishing off a superb solo run with a low finish.
Chris Cadden for Hibs levelled when he followed up from Myziane Maolida's saved effort, but Tony Gallacher came up with a shock winner for the visitors with a volleyed effort following a corner.
Despite the loss, Hibs could still finish in the top half if they beat Motherwell next weekend and other results go their way after Dundee were beaten by Motherwell.
St Johnstone, meanwhile, are now four points clear of Ross County in the relegation play-off spot.
The windy conditions certainly played their part in the opening half. Hibs had the better start and tried to threaten Dimitar Mitov in the St Johnstone goal but to no avail.
The biggest moment of the half came when the Perth keeper clattered into Emiliano Marcondes inside the box and big calls for a penalty followed. Play was waved on and VAR didn't feel the need to intervene.
Sidibeh was the bright spark for St Johnstone in the first half but found himself stranded in Hibs' final third on numerous occasion.
The one time he did have support he laid off a lovely pass for Nicky Clark, who couldn't keep his effort down.
But it was 25-year-old Sidibeh who got St Johnstone off the mark in the second half. He timed his run perfectly to pick up the ball beyond the Hibs back line and side-foot past David Marshall.
Their lead didn't last for very long, though. The recently-returned Cadden got himself on the scoresheet for his first of the season to level things up.
Mitov had his part to play in keeping the contest alive and had a number of hugely-important saves.
His efforts proved even more crucial when Gallacher volleyed in from a corner on the 81st minute to give St Johnstone the lead.
Hibs couldn't manage to find a response and came away with nothing other than slim hopes of a top-six spot.
Player of the Match - Dimitar Mitov (St Johnstone)
Mitov had his work cut out for him to keep St Johnstone in the game. He made a number of hugely important saves that gave his team-mates the chance to grab the three points.
Pressure piles on Montgomery - analysis
Despite a lively start for the home side it ended up being a disappointing afternoon in Leith. In spite of all that, their top-six hopes do remain intact thanks to Motherwell beating Dundee.
That shouldn't detract from what was a poor performance and result from Nick Montgomery's side. There were some moments of quality, but not enough.
For St Johnstone, the result will be a huge boost to their bid for survival. Sidibeh was hugely impressive and caused problems all afternoon, as well as scoring a really well-taken goal.
Mitov in goal was also a key player for Craig Levein's side and kept them in the game with some big saves.
That result means St Johnstone are four points ahead of Ross County after their defeat to Kilmarnock and have a real chance of survival.
What the managers said
Montgomery 'confident I can turn it around at Hibs'
Hibs manager Nick Montgomery: "I know where I can take this club moving forward. Today was a setback because it was a game we wanted to win and we needed to win.
"I can feel everybody's frustrations because we were expected to win and we should have won, the stats will tell you that but stats don't win a game. You have to put your chances away and we didn't do that today and we got punished."
St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "Last week we had a really good performance and we didn't manage to get the points we deserved.
"Today was even more pleasing because we had the performance and managed to get the three points."
What's next?
Hibs travel to face Motherwell in the final battle for a spot in the top six, while St Johnstone are home to Kilmarnock (both Saturday 15:00 BST).