A first-half penalty from Josh Fowler against Aberdeen was enough to hand St. Johnstone their third win of the season and take them to fifth place. Fowler took his tally to five goals this campaign and is leading the goal-scoring charts in the Premiership.
Safe to say, things are looking up for St. Johnstone fans in their first season back in the top flight. This isn’t a bad start to the season for a team tipped to go down by nearly everyone in their pre-season predictions. But Simo Valakari’s have left those predictions in the bin with their performances this term.
Heading into Sunday’s game against Aberdeen, the odds were not in the favour of the Saints. They hadn’t won away this season, meaning their last top flight away win came in February 2025. On top of that, they had only won one of their previous 10 league visits to Pittodrie. The team was also without their two big central defenders – Zach Mitchell and Cheick Diabate.
But against Aberdeen, St. Johnstone showed the defensive resilience they will need for the rest of the campaign. Matty Foulds was excellent in the back three and was complemented well by Daniel Finlayson and Liam Smith. What could encourage Valakari and the Saints fans even more was that this win represented a different side to their team’s game than what they have shown so far.
Only four teams have scored more goals than the Perth side in the league, starting with a thrilling 4-3 win over Kilmarnock. But they have also let in 10 goals at the other end of the pitch, something that would’ve given the gaffer a few sleepless nights. They were yet to record a clean sheet, eight games into the new season, but that changed on Sunday.
The side has tried to play on the front foot and rarely sat back despite the gulf in quality compared to other Premiership sides. But after going ahead through Fowler’s penalty in the 14th minute, St. Johnstone showed that they can play with a nous that will hold them in good stead in the top flight.
In the second half, Stephen Robinson’s side held more of the ball and put the visitors under pressure, but they refused to buckle. Yes, the Dons can be accused of lacking the cutting edge and making the most of their chances, but it is also a testament to how well organised St. Johnstone were at times.
They did press well up the field, forcing Aberdeen’s centre backs to play long balls rather than build from the back. And when the home side did find themselves in promising positions, Foulds and the rest of the St. Johnstone backline marshalled their area very well. Aberdeen might feel hard done by the outcome, but Simo Valakari would rightfully point to how his side were able to hold on for a result that could set them up for the season.
They now sit just two points behind Dundee, who are in the fourth spot, and next week’s Tayside derby against Dundee United will be enticing with both teams level on points. If St. Johnstone get another decent result at McDiarmid Park, the early season optimism will turn to a promise of a successful campaign back in the top flight.
