St Johnstone 0-2 Kilmarnock: Visitors ease to victory as profligate hosts lose out
- Published
Joe Wright nets to open the scoring for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock picked up their first win at McDiarmid Park in five attempts after easing to Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone.
Kilmarnock centre-back Joe Wright opened the scoring in the first half with a well-taken finish.
With nine minutes left to play, Marley Watkins prodded in the visitors' second to enhance the visitors' European qualification hopes.
Killie move eight points clear of St Mirren in fourth place, while St Johnstone remain 10th.
The visitors peppered their opponent's box with crosses in the opening stage. Kyle Vassell scuffed an early chance wide after meeting one such promising delivery curled in by Watkins.
The early siege paid off when Wright popped up in the St Johnstone box and outmuscled Andy Considine to turn in a fine, low Liam Polworth cross.
Will Dennis was tested just once in the first half, as Luke Robinson ventured forward and forced a low stop from the Kilmarnock goalkeeper with a fierce strike.
An outstretched Dimitar Mitov kept out a dinked Watkins effort before Matty Kennedy's subsequent cheeky corner nearly crept in - the goalkeeper flailing in desperation as the ball crashed off the crossbar.
Kilmarnock dominated the first 45, but St Johnstone made up for lost time after half-time and began seriously threatening Kilmarnock's goal.
David Keltjens twice misfired from range as Max Kucheriavyi forced a strong stop from Dennis and Nicky Clark blasted well wide when presented with time and space on the edge of the area.
Ryan McGowan nearly sneaked in an equaliser but was thwarted at the back post by a fantastic Dennis stop.
Watkins' stabbed strike ensured Kilmarnock's victory, with the forward meeting a smart Vassell header at the back post following a deep Danny Armstrong free-kick.
Player of the Match - Marley Watkins (Kilmarnock)
Either of Kilmarnock's goal-getters could have been named here, but Marley Watkins (right) gets the nod after a thoroughly impressive attacking display in which the forward created for others and worked tirelessly for a goal of his own
McInnes got it right as Saints rue missed chances - analysis
A slow start from St Johnstone cost them dearly. Craig Levein's side never looked in it during the first half; mustering up just one shot on goal and failing to hold back waves of Kilmarnock attacks.
Mitov, while flailing at dangerous deliveries and looking slightly uneasy at times, kept out a number of the visitors' efforts as his defence failed to withstand Killie's fearsome front four.
The real issue came in attack, as a handful of great chances passed the home side by. Clark and Keltjens both failed to convert decent opportunities, while Adama Sidibeh failed to take a single shot in the game.
Derek McInnes stated before the match that he had dropped Robbie Deas to change formation in an attempt to counteract St Johnstone's diamond midfield system.
Discarding the tried and trusted 4-4-2 for a tight 3-5-2 worked a treat. Kilmarnock successfully contained the host's midfield as McInnes expertly planned and flourished elsewhere on the park.
Importantly, the players did their job also. Armstrong and Kennedy impressed on the flanks, as Vassell and Watkins caused chaos up top - all while the back three held tight for the full 90.
What they said
St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "If you make mistakes, [Kilmarnock have] guys who can take advantage of that. They might also be a bit better than us at the moment. The frustrating thing for me was that I was hoping for the momentum to continue. Overall, an overriding feeling of disappointment.
"We had some good passages of play and some good chances - we just didn't take them. That just heaps more frustration onto my already-existing frustration. We just need to get back on the training ground, roll our sleeves up and work really hard."
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "We were a bit disappointed [at half-time] not to have more from what we had created. I thought they were better than us at the start of the second half, which coincided with the worse weather as the wind and rain came in. It was a tough watch for 25 minutes.
"Once we got the second goal, it allowed us to enjoy the game. Great support, great numbers up getting behind the team. We all know the importance of getting three points. It does not guarantee us anything, but it is a huge step forward in terms of what we want to achieve."
What's next?
Both sides begin their post-split fixtures over the last weekend in April.