Team effort halts Saints losing streak
Levein sings team’s praises after win
ABERDEEN ............................ 0 ST JOHNSTONE .................. 2
Nicky Clark and Benjamin Kimpioka sealed a massive three points for St Johnstone at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
The Perth side now move level on points with Aberdeen and restore a four-point lead over Ross County in the relegation zone.
Saints manager Craig Levein sung his side’s praises at full time and said it was among the most complete performances since he joined the club.
“I’m so proud of the team,” he said.
“We made good blocks and tackles, the goalkeeper made some good saves and it was a
real team effort.
“Hopefully we can kick on from here.”
Every Saints shirt played their part to halt a four-game losing streak – and up the confidence ahead of a crunch clash against Livingston at Mcdiarmid Park on Saturday.
Levein made five changes to the side that lost 2-0 at St Mirren last weekend.
Ryan Mcgowan came in for Kerr Smith after recovering from a foot injury, while Diallang Jaiyesimi, Sven Sprangler, Benji Kimpioka and David Keltjens were swapped for Tony Gallacher, Andrew Considine, Graham Carey and Adama Sidibeh, who missed out after collapsing at full-time in Paisley.
Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski was nearly in on goal after seven minutes before being shut out by the Saints defence.
The excellent Kimpioka was already proving a handful for Jack Milne down the Aberdeen right, complemented by a tricky Jaiyesimi in a 4-4-2 formation.
The first clear chance came via Neil Warnock’s men after 16 minutes when Miovski dragged his shot wide.
A Jamie Mcgrath free kick, hit with venom, was deflected off the Saints wall for a corner.
Then the tide turned the Perth side’s way just before the break. Saints were awarded a penalty after Ryan Mcgowan’s header struck Richard Jensen’s flailing arm from close range.
Clark kept his cool to send Kelle Roos the wrong way for the lead. It was his first penalty for the club.
Miovski saw a flicked effort collected calmly by Dimitar Mitov just as the half-time whistle was greeted with home support boos.
Aberdeen started the second half with more purpose before Jaiyesimi’s good work down the left wing led to great chance for 2-0 on 53 minutes. Matt Smith found himself with all kinds of time and space as the ball dropped from the sky. But he sliced his effort over – maybe he could, and should, have taken a touch.
Mitov then kept his cool to thwart Leighton Clarkson who was bearing down on goal.
It gave the home side some impetus, and a break from the boos, with Johnny Hayes firing just wide moments later.
The ensuing corner led to panic stations for Saints when Mitov’s terrible spill fell to an Aberdeen shirt before what felt like every Perth body flung themselves to block the shot.
Mitov bounced back from his error on 74 minutes with another superb point-blank save.
Jaiyesimi and Kimpioka then capped off their fine individual performances to combine for 2-0. The former’s lofted ball fell perfectly for the latter, who calmly slotted into the net for his second in Saints colours.
That was the cue for many Pittodrie regulars to head for the exits.
Levein made a number of defensive changes to see out the game with Aberdeen, at times dangerous but very disjointed, never close to mounting a comeback.