Hearts picked up three precious Premiership points in Perth this afternoon, as they defeated St. Johnstone 2-1.
Goals in either half from Elton Kabangu sealed victory, with Adama Sibideh scoring an early second half equaliser to set up a nervy ending at McDiarmid Park.
Neil Critchley made no changes to the side that was beaten by Rangers at Tynecastle Park last weekend; the attacking pair of Shankland and Kabangu continued up front, whilst Jamie McCart and Michael Steinwender partnered up in defence.
Amidst wet and windy conditions at McDiarmid Park, both sides tried to get a feel for the game in the opening stanza, with the pitch suffering from rain the night before and morning of the game.
Jorge Grant’s 18th minute strike summed up the difficulty of conditions; his left footed swipe from the edge of the box sailing high and wide over Andy Fisher’s crossbar as the men in maroon probed the hosts’ goal.
Blair Spittal was up next when James Penrice’s cross deflected off a blue shirt and into the forward’s path. He drove into the Saints box, but his go at goal was another attempt destined to go over the bar.
St. Johnstone had their moments, with Adama Sidibeh doing well to create space for himself on the edge of the Jambos’ box – his low drive at goal dragging wide of Craig Gordon’s net.
Hearts crafted a huge chance before the half hour mark as James Wilson stole a march down the right side from Grant’s pass. The youngster whipped the ball across the face of goal, with Jorge Grant’s sidefooted smash forcing an excellent save from Andy Fisher.
The Jambos maintained their front-foot approach: Elton Kabangu latched onto Spittal’s ball as he crashed into the Saints area. Kabangu lined up, with his low effort dragging inches wide of the post.
This eventually paid dividends as Hearts claimed the lead after 35 minutes. Shankland, under pressure in the box, played a cute pass across goal to Kabangu, with the Belgian gladly stabbing home from close range to put the Jambos ahead.
The Maroons kept at it right to the half’s conclusion, with Fisher called into action once more: this time to deny a curling effort from Blair Spittal from the edge of the St. Johnstone box.
HT: St. Johnstone 0-1 Heart of Midlothian
Hearts started the second 45 in a similar vein as James Penrice sent another inviting ball across goal. Shankland was there to intercept, but his effort was cleaved just wide.
St. Johnstone got themselves back on level terms after 53 minutes as Adam Sidibeh stooped to send a header crashing beyond the reach of Craig Gordon from a well-placed cross.
Hearts had Gordon to thank for denying the Saints a quickfire second as he produced a magnificent save to deny Sam Curtis’ header from point-blank range, scooping it away from danger with a strong left hand.
The pendulum quickly swung as Hearts got their second. Quick thinking from Shankland saw Kabangu break through the blue line – leaving his markers for dead as he slotted the ball between the legs of Andy Fisher.
St. Johnstone had the ball in the net after 68 minutes as Drey Wright leaped highest to meet Curtis’ in-swinging cross from the right. The resulting header crashed off the underside of the crossbar before going in – with VAR intervening to rule it out for offside.
It was an entertaining contest, with Calem Nieuwenhof appearing from the bench to register a classy attempt after 75 minutes – weaving into the Saints area before taking a clean swipe at goal, with Fisher again called into action.
Saints went inches close to getting another equaliser with ten minutes to play. Graham Carey sent a flicked effort just wide of Gordon's post following a dangerous delivery into the Hearts area from Stephen Duke-McKenna.
Hearts held on through four minutes of added time to secure a great three points.
St. Johnstone: Fisher, Mikulic, Balodis, Svedberg (Mitchell 70’), Carey, Wright, Sidibeh (Steven 76’), Sprangler, Douglas, Curtis (Kirk 70’), Watt (Duke-McKenna 45’)
Subs: Sinclair, Mitchell, Holt, Clark, Steven, Duke-McKenna, Smith, McPake, Kirk
Hearts: Gordon, Baningime, Grant (Kartum 65’), Shankland (Forrest 88'), Steinwender, Spittal (Nieuwenhof 72’), Kabangu, Wilson (Drammeh 72’), Penrice, McCart, Forrester (Taylor 65’)
Subs: Clark, Nieuwenhof, Forrest, Milne, Neilson, Kartum, Drammeh, Vargas, Taylor
Attendance: 5,577
