Hibernians extended their hundred percent record to four matches as two goals by Jorginho and Tarabai gave them a 2-1 win over rivals Valletta.
The Paolites were clearly the better side throughout the ninety minutes, fully deserving to take the three points home and move two points ahead of Mosta and Balzan at the top of the BOV Premier League table. On the other hand, for Valletta, this was another disappointing result as this was the second defeat in four matches.
Hibernians had Malta international defender Andrei Agius making his debut. Agius and the returning Rodolfo Soares replaced Keith Tanti and Jackson Lima who were retained on the bench. On the other hand, Valletta had two changes from the team which defeated Floriana as Ryan Camilleri, Roderick Briffa and Lateef Elford-Alliyu replaced Jonathan Caruana, Christian Caruana and Raphael Kooh-Sohna. New signing Alex Terra was included as a substitute.
Hibs had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 6th minute when Jorge Pereira da Silva received a good pass and controlled well before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Nicky Vella.
On the 36th minute, the Paolites doubled the score thanks to Edison Luis dos Santos who received a through pass by Cohen, beating Vella with a diagonal shot from the right.
Lateef Elford-Alliyu was unlucky not to reduce the gap for Valletta five minutes from time with a low shot from inside the area hitting the foot of the upright.
However two minutes in added time, Valletta pulled one back when substitute Raphael Kooh Sohna advanced on the right, dribbled past Henry Bonello, placing the ball past the goalkeeper with an angled shot.
VALLETTA Nicky Vella, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Ryan Fenech (60′ Alex Barboza de Azevedo Terra, Hugo Faria (79′ Llywelyn Cremona), Roderick Briffa, Lateef Elford-Alliyu, Shaun Bajada, Abdelkarim Nafti (60′ Raphael Kooh Sohna), Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Luke Montebello, Dario Tabone, Adrian Zahra.
Coach: Gilbert AgiusHIBS Henry Bonello, Rui de Gracia Gomes, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (65′ Keith Tanti), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina (66′ Jackson di Lima Siqueira), Andrei Agius, Edison Luis dos Santos, Jorge da Silva Pereira (90+3′ Jurgen Degabriele).
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Jonathan Pearson, Timothy Tabone Desira, Zach Scerri.
Coach: Branko NisevicReferee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Andre Arciola, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Camilleri, Dimech, Soares, Dias, Azzopardi
Scorers: 6′ Jorge Pereira da Silva, 36′ Edison Luis dos Santos, 90+2′ Raphael Kooh Sohna
BOV Player of the Match: Jorge Pereira da Silva
Attendance: 2,088