Naxxar Lions scored three in the first half as they registered their first win in the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round league phase, defeating Sliema Wanderers 4-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.
The Lions join rivals Mosta on the four-point mark, one point ahead of bottom-placed Gzira, one behind Tarxien and two behind Zabbar. Sliema, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat in seven matches.
Naxxar took the lead on 16 minutes when a Joao Victor free kick was not held by Sliema goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi and Joao Moura hit home from close range.
Three minutes from the end of the first half, Giuseppe Bonanno doubled the score, hitting home past Al Tumi when served on the right.
The first half was not over yet as two minutes in added time, Vinicius Baiano served Joao Victor who lobbed the ball over the Sliema goalkeeper from the right.
Eight minutes from time, Joao Victor added another for Naxxar following a good run on the right.
Rashed Al Tumi was sent off a minute later for pushing an opponent.