Killian Phillips' late penalty was enough for St Mirren to make it two Premiership wins from two against St Johnstone, sending the Buddies to the summit of the table.
It was a tale of two second-half penalties. One was missed by on-field referee Ross Hardie but picked up on VAR for a handball offence. Jamie Gullan stepped up for the Perth Saints and saw his effort saved by Jacob Chapman. Then Phillips tucked away his goal with 15 minutes remaining to win the game for Craig McLeish's team.
Match Summary
The first 25 minutes of this match were quiet, with the hosts having a couple of corners and the away side a couple of free kicks before the major chance came along. Ramos' close-range header was saved by Toby Steward, and onrushing Buddies bodies just couldn't force the ball over the line.
Possession was pretty even, but Valakari's men were definitely trying to play on the break, with lone striker Josh Fowler making runs in behind the home defence, but the timing was just off on a couple of occasions as the first half ended goalless.
Two minutes into the second half, referee Hardie was called over to the screen and gave a penalty kick to St Johnstone on the advice of John Beaton for handball. Gullan stepped up, but his effort from 12 yards was kept out by Chapman.
Home substitute Jake Young then raced through on goal but fired wide of target. Then referee Hardie gave a penalty to McLeish's men as Ramos was floored inside the penalty area, and Phillips coolly managed what Gullan couldn't earlier in the match to give his team the victory, but not before Cheick Diabate hit the post with a header.
Buddies on a Roll
A Phillips double handed Saints the perfect start to the league season at Falkirk last weekend, and the performance and result were backed up by today's win at the newly named Marbill Coaches Stadium against their Perth counterparts.
A number of players made their home Premiership debuts, but it was that man again who chipped in with the all-important goals to make sure all three points remained where they were. This beginning to the campaign will delight Craig McLeish after he was given the job on a permanent basis over the summer, having kept the club in the top flight via the playoffs when he was in interim control.
Two clean sheets in a row for new keeper Jacob Chapman always helps too. Next up is a trip to Ibrox in the League Cup a week tomorrow to try to defend their trophy.
Penalties All Round
Two penalties were awarded in the second half, one at the beginning and one near the end. First, John Beaton intervened from VAR to award St Johnstone a penalty for handball, but it was saved by Chapman. Phillips then scored from the spot late on after Ramos was fouled.
Perth Saints Draw a Blank
It should really come as no surprise that a team who scored 67 goals in the process of winning the Championship by 11 points last season is involved in a seven-goal thriller on their return to the Premiership. But that was exactly the scenario for Valakari and Co, who beat Kilmarnock 4-3 after unfurling the second-tier flag at McDiarmid Park six days ago.
However, they couldn't take anything from their first away league encounter of the new campaign, not being able to make it two games. Picking up points on the road is something Valakari and Co will look to improve upon as quickly as possible in the early weeks and months of this term, while they also try to add to their squad to re-establish themselves in the division.
