- Date:26 Feb 2011
- Kick-off:15:00
- Venue:Rugby Park
- Attendance:5,243
- Gros (12) Eremenko (28)
Live Commentary
- 92mins
(Kilmarnock) makes a substitution, with David Silva coming on for Mehdi Taouil. Mehdi Taouil is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
- 90mins
The assistant referee signals for offside against Rui Miguel. Paul Gallacher takes the free kick.
- 89mins
Rui Miguel comes on in place of William Gros.
- 89mins
Darren McGregor has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 88mins
Kenneth McLean produces a cross, Frazer Wright manages to make a clearance.
- 88mins
Jamie Hamill fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Anssi Jaakkola takes the direct free kick.
- 87mins
Michael Higdon is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
- 86mins
Jamie Hamill gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jure Travner. Hugh Murray takes the free kick.
- 85mins
Garry Hay delivers the ball, John Potter makes a clearance.
- 84mins
(St Mirren) makes a substitution, with Mark Lamont coming on for Craig Dargo.
- 83mins
Mohamadou Sissoko concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Dargo. Free kick crossed left-footed by Jure Travner.
- 80mins
Alexei Eremenko produces a curled right-footed shot from 35 yards that went over the goal.
- 80mins
Mehdi Taouil produces a cross, Darren McGregor manages to make a clearance.
- 79mins
Jure Travner challenges Jamie Hamill unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Mohamadou Sissoko.
- 78mins
Effort from the edge of the area by David van Zanten goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 75mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Alexei Eremenko on Kenneth McLean. Shot comes in from Michael Higdon from the free kick, save made by Anssi Jaakkola.
- 75mins
David van Zanten crosses the ball, James Fowler makes a clearance.
- 73mins
Jamie Hamill concedes a free kick for a foul on Jure Travner. Direct free kick taken by John Potter.
- 73mins
The ball is sent over by Jure Travner, save by Anssi Jaakkola.
- 72mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Alexei Eremenko on Jure Travner. Hugh Murray takes the direct free kick.
- 71mins
Steven Thomson crosses the ball.
- 69mins
Garry Hay challenges David van Zanten unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kenneth McLean delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.
- 67mins
Jamie Hamill has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area missing to the wide left of the goal.
- 66mins
Inswinging corner taken by Jure Travner from the right by-line played to the near post.
- 66mins
Effort from 20 yards by Craig Dargo. Blocked by Frazer Wright.
- 65mins
Foul by Jamie Hamill on Jure Travner, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Hugh Murray.
- 61mins
Inswinging corner taken by Jure Travner from the right by-line, Darren McGregor takes a shot. Craig Bryson gets a block in.
- 61mins
The ball is crossed by Craig Dargo, blocked by Mohamadou Sissoko.
- 60mins
The ball is sent over by Alexei Eremenko.
- 60mins
Alexei Eremenko takes a short corner.
- 59mins
Garry Hay delivers the ball, clearance by Jure Travner.
- 59mins
Mehdi Taouil has a mishit shot. Comfortable save by Paul Gallacher.
- 58mins
Michael Higdon shown a yellow card. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on William Gros by Hugh Murray. Free kick taken by Manuel Pascali. Michael Higdon challenges Frazer Wright unfairly and gives away a free kick. Manuel Pascali takes the free kick.
- 56mins
Mohamadou Sissoko challenges Kenneth McLean unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Kenneth McLean from the free kick.
- 55mins
A cross is delivered by Steven Thomson, save by Anssi Jaakkola.
- 54mins
Foul by Manuel Pascali on Kenneth McLean, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Jure Travner, clearance by Mohamadou Sissoko.
- 53mins
The offside flag is raised against Craig Dargo. Free kick taken by Anssi Jaakkola.
- 53mins
Kenneth McLean produces a drilled left-footed shot from outside the box and strikes the post.
- 51mins
Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jure Travner, Anssi Jaakkola makes a save.
- 51mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Hamill by Jure Travner. Craig Bryson restarts play with the free kick.
- 49mins
Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Frazer Wright. Anssi Jaakkola restarts play with the free kick.
- 49mins
Foul by Mehdi Taouil on Hugh Murray, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by John Potter.
- 47mins
Darren McGregor takes a shot.
- 45mins
Kenneth McLean joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jim Goodwin.
- 45mins
Effort on goal by Michael Higdon from 18 yards. Blocked by Mohamadou Sissoko.
- 44mins
Unfair challenge on Marc McAusland by Alexei Eremenko results in a free kick. Marc McAusland takes the free kick.
- 43mins
Manuel Pascali receives a yellow card. Darren McGregor fouled by Manuel Pascali, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.
- 41mins
Mehdi Taouil takes a shot. Darren McGregor gets a block in.
- 40mins
Frazer Wright fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Manuel Pascali.
- 36mins
Frazer Wright is booked. Frazer Wright gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Thomson. John Potter takes the direct free kick.
- 35mins
The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Pascali.
- 32mins
Foul by Mehdi Taouil on Jim Goodwin, free kick awarded. Jim Goodwin fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
- 32mins
Jure Travner crosses the ball, clearance by Manuel Pascali.
- 31mins
Jamie Hamill challenges Jure Travner unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick.
- 30mins
A cross is delivered by Garry Hay, Jure Travner makes a clearance.
- 30mins
The referee blows for offside against Craig Dargo. Anssi Jaakkola takes the indirect free kick.
- 29mins
Corner taken by Steven Thomson from the right by-line, clearance by Mehdi Taouil.
- 28mins
Alexei Eremenko fires in a goal from long range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Kilmarnock 2-0 St Mirren.
- 27mins
Mehdi Taouil fouled by Darren McGregor, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Manuel Pascali.
- 26mins
The ball is crossed by William Gros, John Potter manages to make a clearance.
- 26mins
The ball is crossed by Mohamadou Sissoko, Paul Gallacher makes a save.
- 26mins
A cross is delivered by Craig Bryson.
- 25mins
Darren McGregor concedes a free kick for a foul on William Gros. Mehdi Taouil restarts play with the free kick.
- 22mins
Corner taken left-footed by Jure Travner.
- 22mins
Jure Travner sends in a cross, Manuel Pascali makes a clearance.
- 21mins
Unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Marc McAusland results in a free kick. Mehdi Taouil restarts play with the free kick.
- 19mins
The referee cautions Hugh Murray for unsporting behaviour. Foul by Hugh Murray on Alexei Eremenko, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
- 16mins
Inswinging corner taken by Jure Travner.
- 16mins
The ball is sent over by David van Zanten, Garry Hay gets a block in.
- 15mins
Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Alexei Eremenko, clearance made by John Potter.
- 13mins
Centre by Steven Thomson, blocked by Craig Bryson.
- 13mins
The ball is sent over by Jure Travner, save made by Anssi Jaakkola.
- 10mins
Darren McGregor has an effort at goal from long distance that goes wide left.
- 9mins
The ball is crossed by Jamie Hamill.
- 7mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Jim Goodwin on William Gros. Direct free kick taken by Manuel Pascali.
- 5mins
Foul by Craig Dargo on Manuel Pascali, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Mohamadou Sissoko.
- 4mins
Outswinging corner taken by Alexei Eremenko.
- 4mins
Shot by Alexei Eremenko from 20 yards. Save by Paul Gallacher.
- 4mins
Shot by Craig Bryson from 20 yards. Blocked by John Potter.
- 3mins
Corner taken right-footed by Alexei Eremenko.
- 3mins
The ball is delivered by James Fowler, blocked by Darren McGregor.
- 1mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren McGregor on Jamie Hamill. Manuel Pascali takes the direct free kick.
The ball is crossed by Marc McAusland, Anssi Jaakkola makes a save.
Match Preview
Eremenko: We must keep our style Kilmarnock playmaker Alexei Eremenko is confident he and his team-mates can handle the extra on-field attention their impressive form has prompted. Killie have lost two games in a row, the latest a 5-0 reverse at Aberdeen, despite suffering defeat in just two of their previous 15 Clydesdale Bank Premier League games. Eremenko has experienced tighter marking in recent weeks and believes teams have adjusted their tactics after Mixu Paatelainen`s new-look side took the Clydesdale Bank Premier League by storm in the autumn. Eremenko, whose team host St Mirren, said: "Earlier in the season teams were playing differently against us but now every team knows exactly what to expect from us. "If you give us time and space we will run them over, that`s for sure. "Now teams are playing very tight, they are pressing us, man-marking me and Mehdi (Taouil) and trying to get us out the game. "But even if teams are playing that way we shouldn`t change our style, we can still play through them. If we do things right, it's going to work." The Finland international insists he can cope with man-marking and is glad the burden of creativity is being shared by Taouil, who usually plays just off the lone striker like Eremenko. "If you play a number 10 position, you are hardly free," Eremenko said. "No coach wants number 10 players running free behind the strikers. "So it`s always tight there, you never have space or time so you have to think fast and know when to play one touch or take more touches to keep the ball. "It`s very difficult but I`ve played there for many years and I`m used to having someone marking me. "Before all the attacking was going through me. But now I have Mehdi there, he is doing a great job, and we are changing roles. It has taken the weight off my shoulders. "If you don`t count the Aberdeen game we have played pretty well together." St Mirren manager Danny Lennon had no qualms about accusing his players of "choking" - and insists his words were only borne out of frustration that they failed to share his belief in their ability. Lennon questioned his team`s mentality after they lost yet another late goal to lose 1-0 against Hibernian on Sunday. But they turned the tables three days later as Michael Higdon`s 81st-minute strike and some committed last-gasp defending handed them a 1-0 win over Motherwell. Lennon has now challenged his players to adopt the same mental strength when they face Kilmarnock. The St Mirren manager said: "One thing about Danny Lennon, he`ll never hide. He will say what`s on his mind. "Everybody has got opinions. You can protect players, which you`ve got to do, but as soon as they go over that white line they have to take responsibility. "We know in the two games against Hibs we didn`t do ourselves any justice but it`s how quickly you get back on your bike. "I will never doubt their commitment but we need that wee bit of belief. "I want those players to take the confidence from the other night, hopefully it gives the players a wee bit more belief within themselves that myself and my staff already have in them." Lennon believes the nature of their Fir Park triumph can be a turning-point in his players` bid to push up the SPL table after they moved eight points above bottom club Hamilton. "It was a big psychological boost for them and they have to hold on to that and take it into every single game now, that they have that drive and feel mentally strong and feel that their fitness levels are superior to their opposition at that stage of the game," he said. "I thought their drive, determination and attitude the other night were second to none. For me, performance has got to come after attitude."
Kilmarnock
St Mirren
- Anssi Jaakkola
- Jamie Hamill
- Mohamadou Sissoko
- Frazer Wright
- Garry Hay
- Craig Bryson
- Manuel Pascali
- Alexei Eremenko
- James Fowler
- Mehdi Taouil
- William Gros
- SUBS
- Kyle Letheren
- Tim Clancy
- Rui Miguel
- David Silva
- Kieran Agard
- Liam Kelly
- Rory McKenzie
Home
Away
- Paul Gallacher
- Marc McAusland
- John Potter
- Darren McGregor
- David van Zanten
- Hugh Murray
- Jim Goodwin
- Steven Thomson
- Jure Travner
- Craig Dargo
- Michael Higdon
- SUBS
- Craig Samson
- Sean Lynch
- Jamie McCluskey
- Patrick Cregg
- Aaron Mooy
- Mark Lamont
- Kenneth McLean
Match Report
Gros makes instant impact William Gros marked his first start for Kilmarnock with a goal as the Ayrshire side consolidated fourth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 2-0 win over St Mirren. The teenager finished well in the 13th minute following a through ball from Alexei Eremenko, who doubled the lead before the half-hour mark with a speculative effort. Substitute Kenny McLean lifted St Mirren after the break, but his long-range strike against the post was the closest the visitors came. St Mirren's lead over Hamilton at the foot of the table was only cut by one point to seven after Dundee United levelled after the break at New Douglas Park, but they saw Hibernian move six points above them. The victory saw Kilmarnock bounce back from their 5-0 defeat by Aberdeen, their heaviest loss of the season by some distance. Killie boss Mixu Paatelainen made five changes, with one enforced late on as Cammy Bell failed to shake off an ankle problem allowing Anssi Jaakkola to step in. Jamie Hamill replaced Tim Clancy at right-back, Manuel Pascali and James Fowler added some steel to the midfield and Gros stepped in for Rui Miguel. St Mirren, who had Michael Higdon in for the suspended Paul McGowan following his midweek winner off the bench against Motherwell, needed some desperate defending to avoid an early blow after Craig Bryson and then Eremenko drilled the ball into their goalmouth following a short corner. Eremenko was dropping deep to dictate play and his dummy set up a slick break from Bryson and Mehdi Taouil but the Moroccan's final pass was just too far in front of Gros. St Mirren defender Darren McGregor shot wide from 25 yards after an impressive run out of defence but Gros soon struck. The 18-year-old laid the ball off to Eremenko, who threaded the ball down the left channel for Gros to run on to and squeeze a left-footed shot in off the far post. Steven Thomson got a shot on target for Saints but Jaakkola saved easily and Hugh Murray resorted to a crude foul to stop Eremenko making another pass, earning himself a booking. The Finland international put Killie two ahead in the 29th minute after Gros repaid the favour with an assist of his own, although Eremenko had St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher to thank too. Gros laid the ball out to the right edge of the penalty area and Eremenko tried a speculative effort that bounced just in front of Gallacher and over his dive to nestle in the far corner. Kilmarnock continued to look more dangerous in possession up the break. Hamill almost got on the end of Garry Hay's arching cross and Taouil's brilliant pass over the Saints defence drifted inches too far in front of Fowler's run. McLean, on for Jim Goodwin at the interval, instantly livened up the St Mirren midfield and almost got the visitors back in it in the early stages. McLean collected the ball in the centre circle and beat a man to find space to strike a powerful low effort from 25 yards, but the ball bounced off the post and Craig Dargo was flagged offside as he eyed the rebound. Killie were sitting deep but Eremenko wasted a chance to put St Mirren out of sight on the break when he stood waiting for Hay's cross to drop, allowing Jure Travner to nip in and clear. But Saints came close again when McGregor met Travner's corner only for Bryson to clear his header off the line. Eremenko somehow escaped a booking from Calum Murray for a two-footed lunge on Travner as St Mirren continued to press and the Finn then fouled McLean to give the visitors a chance to shoot from 30 yards, but Jaakkola easily saved from Higdon and had little to do in the final 20 minutes despite St Mirren's efforts.
Form Guide
- LDDWLL
- Kilmarnock
- VS
- St Mirren DDLDLW
Last Meetings
- St Mirren
- 0 - 2
- Kilmarnock
- 03/01/2011
- Kilmarnock
- 2 - 1
- St Mirren
- 11/09/2010
- St Mirren
- 1 - 0
- Kilmarnock
- 24/04/2010
- Kilmarnock
- 1 - 1
- St Mirren
- 20/02/2010
- St Mirren
- 1 - 0
- Kilmarnock
- 02/01/2010
- Kilmarnock
- 1 - 2
- St Mirren
- 29/08/2009
Top Scorers
Kilmarnock
- L Kelly 5
- A Eremenko 2
- C Bryson 2
- CM Rui Miguel 2
- J Hamill 2
- DM Silva 2
- F Wright 1
- J Dayton 1
St Mirren
- M Higdon 6
- S Thomson 4
- D McGregor 2
- G Wardlaw 2
- S Lynch 2
- C Dargo 1
- J Travner 1
- M McAusland 1
- P McGowan 1
Goals
Kilmarnock
- Total goals 71
- Goals per game 38
- 3 (For) Period 0-10 mins
- 4 (For) 4 (Against) Period 11-20 mins
- 4 (For) 2 (Against) Period 21-30 mins
- 2 (For) 3 (Against) Period 31-40 mins
- 4 (For) 5 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- 6 (For) 6 (Against) Period 51-60 mins
- 2 (For) 5 (Against) Period 61-70 mins
- 5 (For) 3 (Against) Period 71-80 mins
- 8 (For) 5 (Against) Period 81-90 mins
St Mirren
- Total goals 55
- Goals per game 22
- (For) 6 (Against) Period 0-10 mins
- 3 (For) 3 (Against) Period 21-30 mins
- 3 (For) 3 (Against) Period 31-40 mins
- 3 (For) 5 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- 2 (For) 4 (Against) Period 51-60 mins
- 3 (For) 7 (Against) Period 61-70 mins
- 5 (For) 2 (Against) Period 71-80 mins
- 3 (For) 12 (Against) Period 81-90 mins
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