Unbeaten in four meetings with Holstein Kiel (W3, D1) - including a comprehensive 5-1 success in last season's encounter at the Millerntor-Stadion - the hosts dictated the game throughout the opening quarter-hour as they accumulated over two-thirds of the possession (70%).
St. Pauli’s dominance in the early going eventually led to the game’s opening goal in the 25th minute as Saliakas sublimely side-footed the ball into the corner of the net via the inside of the post.
Kiezkicker came close to doubling their lead in the 37th minute as Carlo Boukhalfa struck the crossbar with a towering header.
That miss nearly came back to haunt the hosts on the stroke of half-time when Saliakas’ attempted headed back-pass fell short of Nikola Vasilj, forcing St. Pauli’s number one to bring down the oncoming Lewis Holtby.
However, Holstein Kiel could not take advantage of their opportunity from 12 yards, with Vasilj redeeming himself by guessing the correct direction of Jann-Fiete Arp’s penalty.
On course to move out of the relegation play-off position at the expense of Heidenheim, St. Pauli gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the 56th minute as Guilavogui confidently converted Eggestein’s defence-splitting through-ball.
The gloss appeared to be taken off the hosts’ victory when the Lens loanee was forced off with a nasty-looking injury.
However, Eggestein recommenced the celebrations in the 85th minute by capping off a man-of-the-match performance by getting his name on the scoresheet with an expertly-taken finish.
A late consolation from Phil Harres gave the scoreline a more respectable look, but ultimately had no effect on St. Pauli recording a first success of the season at the Millerntor-Stadion.
Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel’s failure to register a first-ever away win in the Bundesliga sees the visitors remain in the bottom two.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Johannes Eggestein (St. Pauli)