Pressure intensified on Hibernian manager David Gray after a limp 2-1 home defeat by St Mirren left them bottom of the William Hill Premiership.
Conor McMenamin’s first-half double did the damage for the Buddies while Ellery Balcombe’s penalty save from Hibs forward Martin Boyle just after the hour was a further setback for the beleaguered hosts.
There was stoppage-time drama as the Edinburgh side pulled one back through a Nicky Cadden spot-kick before the same player thought he had equalised at the death, only for it be ruled out for offside against team-mate Dwight Gayle.
Hibs have won just one of their 12 league matches and none of their last seven, leaving former club captain Gray – appointed manager in the summer – in a seemingly precarious position heading into the international break.
There were two enforced changes to the Hibs team that started the 1-1 draw with Dundee United last Sunday as the injured Lewis Miller and suspended Mykola Kuharevich were replaced by Chris Cadden and Elie Youan.
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson made one change to the team that started the 0-0 draw at home to Ross County as McMenamin replaced James Scott in attack.
It was McMenamin who gave the visitors the lead in the first notable attack of the match in the 16th minute when he touched home Scott Tanser’s low delivery from the left inside the six-yard box.
Hibs almost equalised in the 28th minute when Youan turned in the box and fired against the post from 12 yards.
But St Mirren doubled their lead in the 31st minute when McMenamin capitalised on some calamitous Hibs defending.
Warren O’Hora was loose with his touch after bringing down a high ball on the half-way line seemingly under no pressure but the Buddies attacker nicked it off him and darted clear before firing high into the net off the legs of goalkeeper Josef Bursik, who appeared to dive away from the shot.
Gray, clearly alarmed by what he had seen in the first half, made a triple substitution for the start of the second period as O’Hora, Kwon and Nectar Triantis were replaced by Rocky Bushiri, Dylan Levitt and Cadden.
There was a minimal improvement from the hosts but Saints almost netted again on the hour when Richard Taylor headed a Tanser corner against the bar and Alex Gogic was unable to force in the rebound.
Hibs had a golden chance to get back in the game a minute later when they were awarded a penalty after Boyle was fouled by Marcus Fraser but, after a lengthy VAR check, the Australia winger saw his tame spot-kick easily saved by Balcombe, who dived down to his right.
St Mirren looked to be cruising towards victory as the match moved into stoppage time but Hibs got one back through a Cadden penalty following a handball from Gogic.
The home side thought they had pulled off a stunning comeback moments later when Cadden lashed home once more but the celebrations were cut short after a VAR check spotted the ball had struck his offside team-mate Gayle on the way in.
[(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...
