Kilmarnock 2-1 St Johnstone: Armstrong’s double gives hosts victory

Armstrong’s free kick was hit with laser precision

A two-handed victory by Danny Armstrong Kilmarnock over St Johnstone despite the threat of a late comeback in the Scottish Premiership.

The winger’s 30-metre free-kick gave Derek McInnes’ side an early lead before his second, a minute into the second half, put the hosts firmly ahead.

Theo Bairs late half-volley made for a tense finish at Rugby Park but it would not be enough for Callum Davidson’s side who were looking for their second straight win.

Armstrong’s brace instead gave the rugby park team just a second win of the season, a result that leaves Kilmarnock just three points behind their opponents in ninth place.

Kilmarnock announced their intentions early on when Blair Alston came at the end of Armstrong’s knockdown but the midfielder could only shoot wide against his former side.

However, it didn’t take long for the hosts to strike. It was a Hollywood hit, bent by Armstrong from long range with incredible precision to give Remi Matthews no chance.

St. Johnstone was not far from an equalizer. Stevie May, who was outstanding over the weekend, saw a shot deflected and turned towards Zach Hemming before Ali Crawford and Nicky Clark forced good saves from the Killie keeper.

But the visitors had to bemoan their waste when Kilmarnock struck just after the break.

Alan Power’s shot landed on Chris Stokes, who hit the bar from close range. The ball bounced back to the six-yard line, where Armstrong threw himself forward to nod home to each clearing St. Johnstone defender.

The magician on the wing almost scored a terrific hat-trick on the hour mark. He scored on the right touchline and danced past two players on his way to the edge of the box before delivering a delicious shot that shaved the outside of the post.

Bair’s raspy right-footed half-volley set up an awkward few minutes, but the Saints’ sub was only a consolation.

Player of the Match – Danny Armstrong

The former Wolves man has five goals this season and is showing his forwards how it should be done.

Amazing Armstrong Makes Killie Click – Analysis

For the past few weeks and possibly months, Kilmarnock have been crying out for a creator to offer chances to the forwards.

Armstrong seems like the likeliest candidate, but tonight he was more interested in getting the spotlight himself.

A free-kick that Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been proud of and a shot on target from a poacher that puts most forwards to shame.

St Johnstone threatened on occasion, but as the game progressed that lack of confidence crept back into their game.

Bair’s late strike really came out of the blue, but opening his Saints account will give him and his manager a boost.

what they said

St. Johnstone boss Callum Davidson: “It was a terrible start [to the second-half] of us, really poor. We didn’t do the basics well, we had chances to clear our lines. Kilmarnock scored and then sat in and defended well.

“We didn’t ask them enough questions and that’s what disappointed me the most tonight. When chasing a game, you have to be brave.”

What’s next?

Kilmarnock host Hearts on Sunday (3pm BST) while St Johnstone host reigning champions Celtic at McDiarmid Park on Saturday (12.30pm).

player of the game

ArmstrongDaniel Armstrong

Kilmarock

1. squad number11player nameArmstrong

2. squad number5player nameTaylor

3. squad number33player nameChrisen

4. squad number4player nameperfomance

5. squad number1player namehemming

6. squad number2player namemayo

7. squad number6player nameStokes

8. squad number8thplayer namealston

9. squad number7player nameMcKenzie

10. squad number10player nameJones

11. squad number26player namedoidge

12. squad number28player nameLafferty

13. squad number9player nameshow

14. squad number17player nameLyons

15. squad number19player nameWright

St Johnstone

1. squad number5player namemitchell

2. squad number7player nameCan

3. squad number6player nameGordon

4. squad number17player namebair

5. squad number14player nameWright

6. squad number1player nameMatthew

7. squad number13player nameMcGowan

8. squad number37player nameClear

9. squad number4player nameconsider

10. squad number22player nameHallberg

11. squad number2player nameBrown

12. squad number27player nameKucheriavyi

13. squad number21player nameCrawford

14. squad number29player nameMurphy

15. squad number11player nameO’Halloran

16. squad number3player nameSmarter

lineups

Kilmarock

formation 4-2-3-1

1hemming

2mayo5Taylor6Stokes33Chrisen

4perfomance8thalston

11Armstrong7McKenzie10Jones

28Lafferty

• 1hemming
• 2mayo
• 5Taylor
• 6Stokes
• 33Chrisen
• 4perfomance
• 8thalstonReplaced byLyonsat 65′protocol
• 11ArmstrongReplaced byWrightat 89′protocol
• 7McKenzie
• 10JonesReplaced byshowat 77′protocol
• 28LaffertyReplaced bydoidgeat 65′protocol

substitute

• 9show
• 17Lyons
• 19Wright
• 20walker
• 21McInroy
• 26doidge
• 27Cameron
• 31Polworth
• 32Warnock

St Johnstone

formation 5-3-2

1Matthew

14Wright5mitchell6Gordon4consider2Brown

22Hallberg13McGowan21Crawford

7Can37Clear

• 1Matthew
• 14WrightReplaced bybairat 72′protocol
• 5mitchellBooked at 52 minutesReplaced bySmarterat 57′protocol
• 6Gordon34 minutes booked
• 4consider
• 2Brown
• 22Hallberg
• 13McGowanBooked at 63 minutesReplaced byO’Halloranat 80′protocol
• 21CrawfordReplaced byKucheriavyiat 72′protocol
• 7CanReplaced byMurphyat 57′protocol
• 37Clear

substitute

• 3Smarter
• 10Two spoons
• 11O’Halloran
• 12Community
• 16mahon
• 17bair
• 26McLennan
• 27Kucheriavyi
• 29Murphy

Referee: Alan Muir

Number of visitors: 4,463

live text

1. Game ends, Kilmarnock 2, St Johnstone 1.

2. Second half ends, Kilmarnock 2, St Johnstone 1.

3. attempt failed. Maksym Kucheriavyi (St Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Michael O’Halloran.

4. Foul by Maksym Kucheriavyi (St Johnstone).

5. Alan Power (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

6. Maksym Kucheriavyi (St Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

7. Foul by Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock).

8. Goal! 2nd Kilmarnock, 1st St Johnstone. Theo Bair (St Johnstone) right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left.

9. Substitution Kilmarnock. Joe Wright replaces Daniel Armstrong.

10. Corner, St Johnstone. Goal conceded by Daniel Armstrong.

11. Maksym Kucheriavyi (St Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.

12. Foul by Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock).

13. Corner, St Johnstone. Cashed in by Chris Stokes.

14. attempt blocked. Melker Hallberg (St Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

15. attempt blocked. Jamie Murphy (St Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Melker Hallberg.

16. Nicky Clark (St Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

17. Foul by Ash Taylor (Kilmarnock).

18. Offside, Kilmarnock. Rory McKenzie tries a through ball, but Lewis Mayo is caught offside.

19. Substitution, St Johnstone. Michael O’Halloran replaces Ryan McGowan.

20. Jamie Murphy (St Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.