Tony Gallacher popped up with his first career goal as St Johnstone eased their relegation concerns and simultaneously dented Hibernian’s top-six bid with a surprise 2-1 win at Easter Road.
Nick Montgomery’s Hibs were jeered off by their supporters after the former Falkirk and Liverpool defender scored an 81st-minute winner for the Perth side to take them five points clear of Ross County in the battle to avoid finishing second bottom.
At one point, it looked like Hibs’ hopes of securing a top-six place were about to be killed off, but Dundee’s late collapse at home to Motherwell means the Leith outfit remain within a point of the Dark Blues and still have a chance of scrambling into the top six.
There was one change for both sides after their respective defeats a week previously, with Hibs attacker Martin Boyle replacing Elie Youan, who dropped to the bench, and Saints defender Andrew Considine taking over from the injured Liam Gordon.
The hosts thought they should have had a penalty in the ninth minute when St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov clattered into Emiliano Marcondes as he tried to punch a high ball clear after Myziane Maolida’s shot from outside the box had deflected up into the air, but play was waved on.
Three minutes later, Joe Newell had a good opportunity after being set up by a cutback from the left by Maolida but the midfielder blazed an angled shot over the bar from 15 yards out with his weaker right foot.
Saints got their first notable sight of goal in the 24th minute when Adama Sidibeh drove at Hibs’ defence and saw a strike from the edge of the box deflect just wide off Marcondes.
The hosts were struggling to generate any rhythm in a strong, swirling wind and Saints – enjoying a more comfortable afternoon than they probably anticipated – threatened again in the 40th minute when Nicky Clark pinged a shot over from outside the box after things opened up nicely for him.
The visitors made the breakthrough in the 48th minute when Matt Smith clipped a well-weighted pass in behind the home defence and Sidibeh raced away from Rocky Bushiri to fire an angled shot beyond the exposed David Marshall.
With their top-six rivals Dundee leading Motherwell at that point, the pressure was on Hibs to summon a response and they did exactly that in the 56th minute when Chris Cadden followed up to ram the ball into the net from 12 yards out after Mitov parried a Maolida shot from the edge of the box into his path.
The hosts had several good chances to get their noses in front, with Cadden and Maolida sending efforts over the bar and Adam Le Fondre and Maolida denied by excellent saves from Mitov.
Hibs were made to pay in the 81st minute when Gallacher pounced on the edge of the six-yard box to hook in a Graham Carey corner.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
