Hibs 1 St Johnstone 2 – VAR makes Premiership debut as Callum Davidson’s side come out on top at Easter Road
HISTORY was made with the introduction of VAR - but a moment of madness from Kyle Magennis cost Hibs and handed Saints a vital win.
It was meant to be the technology’s big night and for long periods it looked like it would be one Hibs hitman Mykola Kuharevich wouldn’t forget as he bagged his first goal for Lee Johnson’s side.
It delighted the 19,500 inside Easter Road, the largest home support in more than 30 years as they looked to tighten their grip on third.
But Magennis’ two yellows inside 20 second half minutes saw him sent for an early bath, with Saints levelling things within 120 seconds as Nicky Clark pounced.
For long spells it looked like it was going to be another night of misery for Saints boss Callum Davidson.
They had created nothing of note, with the heroics of keeper Remi Matthews keeping them in it.
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Once referee Kevin Clancy flashed the red then the game changed completely and with eight minutes left super sub Stevie May nodded in the winner.
It was Saints’ first win in four and it moved them four clear of the bottom three for a day at least.
Hibs have benefited from a few red card decisions this season and this one ultimately cost them.
They were in complete control until Magennis - in his first start in 13 months - lost his cool and slumped off.
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After four straight wins catapulted them up the table, it’s now three straight defeats for the Hibees and they need to find a way to stop the rot if they have any hopes of challenging for third spot.
Backed by the noisy home support they came flying out the traps and Matthews had to deny Kuharevich inside 90 seconds.
For the first Martin Boyle broke down the right and flung in a cross which the Ukrainian striker seeing the keeper deny him with his feet.
Still the pressure remained on and the towering frontman then found a yard of space inside the area, only for the Saints’ No1 to stick up a hand to prevent him giving Hibs a dream start.
Within eight minutes we had a first ever check of VAR when Boyle thought he should have been awarded a penalty following Alex Mitchell’s challenge.
Referee Kevin Clancy immediately reached for his pocket and showed the striker a yellow for simulation.
Then he raised his hand and listened to his earpiece to indicate VAR Willie Collum was having a word.
The Hibs fans hoped for an overturn and a spot-kick but within seconds their hopes were dashed as Clancy waved for play-on and his decision stood.
St Johnstone were struggling to make any real openings, with their first half chance coming on 23 minutes but Connor McLennan saw his shot fire off target.
At the other end Kuharevich latched onto Boyle’s through ball and as he looked to get his shot off, Mitchell arrived in the nick of time with a superb last-gasp challenge.
You felt the goal was coming for the home side and it duly arrived ten minutes before the interval with Kuharevich getting the goal he deserved.
He got on the end of Chris Cadden’s cross and nodded brilliantly into the corner giving Matthews no chance.
The home fans celebrated but it was short-lived as Clancy again raised his hand for a check.
But after a short delay and more communication with Collum the goal was given and another roar went up.
Boyle stung the palms of Matthews just before the interval with a drive from distance as the Saints tried to make it through to half-time just the one behind.
Davidson had seen enough and Montgomery was hooked for May at the break and the sub had a chance inside four minutes of the restart.
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Magennis showed his striking prowess last season with four goals before his injury hell and Matthews produced another superb stop to deny him a goal.
The English keeper was keeping the score down almost single-handedly and he had to get down low to deny Hibs sub Elie Youan doubling their advantage with another smart save.
The home side were then reduced to ten men as Magennis picked up a second yellow for a silly challenge and made the lonely walk off the park.
That came back to haunt his side within two minutes as the Saints levelled through Clark.
Former Hibee Melker Hallberg swung in a corner and the striker nodded high into the net to make it all square.
The pendulum had swung and the visitors looked the more likely to snatch a winner.
Jamie Murphy’s ball over the top saw May get in behind and his shot was parried by Marshall.
Clark and Hallberg raced towards goal to pick up on the loose ball but the Hibs defence recovered in the nick of time to clear the danger.
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Then came the winner as May managed to nick in front of his marker to McLennan’s cross to brilliantly divert his header into the corner with eight minutes left to hand Saints a vital win.
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Where it had started as cheers from the home crowd, it turned to jeers as the jubilant travelling support delighted in the Hibees’ disappointment at full-time.
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