A dramatic finale at McDiarmid Park, as super sub Moses Ebiye fired home the final kick of the game to rescue the three points in an exhilarating ninety minutes under the Perthshire sunshine.
Irishman Dan Casey bulleted home the opener amid the early exchanges, powering home Andy Halliday’s whipped delivery across the 18-yard-box. Motherwell continued to control proceedings and toiled in search of a crucial second, that would’ve fairly reflected their assured first-half display, however the hosts soon punished Motherwell’s attacking woes by pulling themselves level in the latter stages of the second-half.
Motherwell’s first-half dominance looked a distant memory, as Benjamin Kimpioka’s unanticipated equaliser rejuvenated a strained St. Johnstone side, but Ebiye’s late heroics proved to be the difference, with the Nigerian striker capitalising on the final kick of the game, diverting Casey’s direct headed effort beyond the reach of Ross Sinclair much to the jubilation of the emphatic travelling support.
Manager, Stuart kettlewell named an unchanged side from last weekend’s comfortable victory over Hearts at Fir park. Deadline day addition Jack Vale was named amongst the substitutes, as fellow late arrival Jair Tavares watched on from the sidelines.
Motherwell almost certainly looked to have earned an early penalty kick after Paul McGinn was impeded deep into the St. Johnstone penalty area, but despite a four-minute VAR check, referee Iain Snedden ruled in favour of a St. Johnstone goal-kick.
The breakthrough emerged soon after with defender Dan Casey opening his account for the 2024/25 Premiership campaign, powering home Andy Halliday’s accurate delivery across the face of goal.
The visitors almost doubled their advantage soon after, with Maswanhise turning provider, teeing up Halliday at the edge of the box. The midfielder lent back before curling a magnificent finish into the top-left corner, but an offside in the build-up prematurely ended Halliday’s celebrations.
Motherwell were firmly in the ascendency and deserving of amassing more of an advantage, as the first-half drew to a close.
The hosts took advantage, with Kimpioka coasting across the left-flank before dispatching a composed finish into the bottom-right corner. The stands of McDiarmid Park firmly rose to the occasion, lifting an abject St. Johnstone side into life.
Motherwell thwarted numerous attempts on goal during a frantic period of the game, but Stuart Kettlewell’s side soon composed themselves, implementing the game-plan and pinning the Saints backline into their own penalty area.
Following two identical miraculous saves to deny Casey from netting a brace, Casey soon headed Lennon Miller’s dangerous delivery across the face of goal, and super sub Moses Ebiye converted from a yard out; sending the visiting support into raptures.
