A goal after just ninety seconds paved the way for Hibernians as they defeated Valletta 4-1 at the National Stadium on Saturday to maintain a four-point lead over Floriana.
The Paolites, therefore, extend their positive record to eighteen matches while Valletta suffer the sixth defeat in seven matches to remain on the 21-point mark.
Hibs took the lead on the 2nd minute when off a cross by Thaylor from the right, the ball was deflected by Guarnone and Hugo Filipe da Costa Oliveira placed the ball at the back of the net.
On the 27th minute, Hibs doubled the score when Jurgen Degabriele entered the area and rounded a defender before beating the Valletta custodian with a fine rising shot with the ball ending in the top left corner.
Mario Fontanella was unlucky to hit the crossbar from close range following a freekick by Ivan Curjuric. four minutes in the second half.
Jurgen Degabriele made it 3-0 on the 71st minute beating Guarnone with an angled shot when served by Wilfried Domoraud.
Valletta pulled one back on 78th minute when off a cross by Ivan Curjuric from the right, substitute Kevin Tulimieri slotted the ball past Calleja Cremona from close range.
However one minute later, Hibs made it 4-1 when Ferdinando Apap had a powerful shot from the right partially saved by Guarnone with Wilfried Domoraud scoring from close range as the ball hit the bar before ending at the back of the net.