Two second-half goals handed Hibernians a fine 2-0 win over Gzira United at the Hibernians Stadium on Friday. A win which puts the Paolites in third place on level points with Sirens, one point behind Gzira.

Hibernians, therefore extended their positive run to six matches while for Gzira, this was the second defeat in four matches.

Eight minutes from the end of the first half, Hibernians were reduced to ten men after having Bjorn Kristensen sent off.

Jefferson de Assis was also sent off for Gzira eight minutes the second half after receiving a second yellow card.

Six minutes later, Hibs took the lead when off a Gabi Izquier corner, a header by Imanol Iriberri hit the foot of the upright, the ball reached Andrei Agius who hit home from close range.

Fernando Barbosa also received a second yellow card for the Maroons, leaving his side in nine men.

Eleven minutes from time, the Paolites sealed the issue with a second goal thanks to substitute Jurgen Degabriele who received an assist by Imanol Iriberri and rounded a defender before hitting past Haber.

The Maroons could have reduced the gap in added time when they were awarded a penalty after Jens Wemmer handled the ball inside the area but Amadou Samb’s penalty was neutralised by Jovicic.

HIBS Marko Jovicic, Ferdinando Apap, Leandro Marcio Barbosa da Silveira, Jake Grech (78′ Jurgen Degabriele), Terrence Groothusen (73′ Jens Wemmer), Bjorn Kristensen, Dunstan Vella, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Andrei Agius, Imanol Iriberri (88′ Myles Beerman).
Subs not used: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Timothy Tabone Desira, Charles Atsina, Ayrton Attard.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra
Asst Coach: Ryan Pulis

GZIRA Justin Haber, Fernando Barbosa, Gianmarco Conti, Nikolai Muscat, Zachary Scerri, Rodolfo Soares (48′ Clifford Gatt Baldacchino), Juan Carlos Corbalan, Hamed Kone, Amadou Samb, Arthur Henrique Oyama, Jefferson de Assis.
Subs not used: Brandon Debono, Luca Brincat, Andrew Cohen, Christian Sammut, Sacha Borg, Romario Camilleri.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Ivan Galea
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: Jefferson, Barbosa, Silveira, Agius, Corbalan
Red Cards: 38′ Bjorn Kristensen, 53′ Jefferson de Assis, 68′ Fernando Barbosa
BOV Player of the Match: Andrei Agius