Valletta scored a goal in each half to beat Birkirkara 2-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday to take sole leadership in the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase.
The Citizens, therefore, extended their positive run to four matches – four matches in which they dropped just two points. Birkirkara, on the other hand, suffered the third defeat in five matches.
The Stripes had no less than four changes from the team which defeated Żabbar St. Patrick in their previous league outing as Neil Micallef was missing while Jake Vassallo, Jefferson Vinicius and Fernandinho were among the substitutes with Kadu, Rafa Santos, Jan Busuttil and Aleandro Garzia named in the starting line-up.
The Citizens, on the other hand, had Manuel Morello and Andrea Zammit replacing Mattias Ellul and Thaylor Aldama.
Valletta managed to take the lead on 43 minutes. Moise Mbende sent the ball through on the right and following a deflection by a defender, it reached Andrea Zammit who advanced into the area before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ondoa.
The Citizens doubled the score on 74 minutes. Bruno Gomes tested goalkeeper Ondoa with a powerful shot from the right which the Stripes’ goalkeeper saved partially but substitute Petar Sekulovic placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.
One minute from time, another substitute, Alex Tanque hit the foot of the upright with a header off a Brandon Paiber free kick from the right.
