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St Johnstone logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 16
Dec 5, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Hearts logo

2-2

Alston (20'), Kennedy (69' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-2)
Djoum (6'), Bozanic (41')

Controversial penalty from Matthew Kennedy denies Hearts

Controversial penalty from Matthew Kennedy denies Hearts
© Reuters
Hearts were 2-1 ahead with 21 minutes remaining.

A controversial second-half penalty from St Johnstone winger Matthew Kennedy denied Hearts a first victory in seven games in a stormy tussle at McDiarmid Park.

Arnaud Djoum had given the visitors a sixth-minute lead but Blair Alston equalised for Saints just 14 minutes later.

Olly Bozanic then headed Hearts back in front in the 41st minute before Kennedy's spot-kick ensured the clash finished 2-2.

Hearts manager Craig Levein's feelings at Andrew Dallas' decision to point to the spot were clear at full-time as he strode onto the pitch to have words with the referee.

Aside from Gareth McAuley's own goal in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Rangers, Hearts had not scored for seven matches heading into this encounter.

All that changed after just five minutes.

Full-back Michael Smith had just seen a long throw repelled by the Saints defence but he found the space to float in a cross moments later.

Djoum was the player who rose highest to loop his header past home goalkeeper Zander Clark.

It was the first goal conceded by the Perth outfit in nearly 10 hours of football yet they quickly shrugged off the blow to draw level.

David Wotherspoon drifted past Smith on the left edge of the box and chipped his cross into the heart of the penalty box, where Alston came racing in to volley high into the roof of the net.

The goal buoyed Saints and they went in search of another – and it almost came in the 25th minute.

Kennedy lifted an excellent ball over the top to find Alston's run from deep but Zdenek Zlamal was equal to his left-footed effort.

When Saints recycled possession, Tony Watt flicked Wotherspoon's cross on target but Zlamal held on.

Peter Haring drilled a low shot wide for Hearts but St Johnstone now had the upper hand and Demetri Mitchell was forced to head Wotherspoon's cross behind as the home team upped the ante in search of a second.

But, instead, it was Hearts who restored their lead, and again the home defence was posted missing.

Olly Lee curled in a free-kick from the left touchline and Bozanic was unmarked as he headed in from six yards.

Liam Craig drilled a low drive just wide two minutes later but the home side were struck a blow when left-back Scott Tanser's substitution at half-time forced them into three positional changes in their back four.

Play became feisty as the second half progressed and it was a moment of controversy that drew Saints level.

Substitute Liam Gordon challenged for an aerial ball under pressure from Haring and Dallas pointed to the spot.

Kennedy made no mistake by sending Zlamal the wrong way.

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St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright pictured in January 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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