Seven-goal thriller puts Valletta back on track

This victory gives Valletta a four point cushion over second placed Hibernians and nine over rivals Floriana.

Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk remain at the bottom of the table on eleven points after suffering their seventh consecutive defeat.

It did not take long for Valletta to take the lead as on the 8^th minute, Michael Mifsud beat goalkeeper Christian Cassar to score from close range.

On the 43^rd minute, William Barbosa made it 2-0 for Valletta scoring from his freekick.

Seconds before the first half ended, Valletta were awarded a penalty. Ouseeni Zongo shot was handled by Modesto Valeriani to have the referee point to the penalty spot. After receiving his second yellow card, referee Esther Azzopardi gave Valeriani his marching orders. Michael Mifsud made no mistake form the penalty spot to make it 3-0.

In the second half, Marsaxlokk managed to reduce the gap when they were awarded a penalty on the 53^rd minute. Nemanja Stoskovic was brought down inside the area by Jonathan Caruana. Trevor Templeman made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.

Valletta increased their lead to four goals on the 80^th minute. Michael Mifsud advanced into the area to beat goalkeeper Christian Cassar and score his third goal of the match.

With Valletta leading 4-1, they were awarded another penalty shot when Patrick Borg brought Jonathan Cassar down inside the area. Steve Borg converted to make the score 5-1 for Valletta.

On the 88^th minute, Trevor Templeman scored another goal for Marsaxlokk. A brilliant pass by Nemanja Stoskovic to Templeman was enough for the latter to beat Andrew Hogg with his low shot and make the final score 5-2.

Michael Mifsud was voted BOV Player of the Match.

VALLETTA FC Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Briffa, Edmond Agius, Ousseni Zongo (81′ Siraj Arab), Denni Rocha dos Santos (72′ Roderick Bajada), Alfred Effiong (61′ Saidou Mady Panandetiguiri), William Barbosa, Michael Mifsud.
Subs not used: Matthew Towns, Gilbert Agius, Nahuel Pulitano Jimenez, Samir Arab.
Coach: Leonard Farrugia
Asst. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

M'XLOKK FC Christian Cassar, Modesto Valeriani, Jermain Brincat, Clive Brincat, Jonathan Xerri (81′ Craig Debattista), Trevor Templeman, Nemanja Stoskovic, Jean Paul Farrugia (46′ Patrick Borg), Gary Caruana (67′ Sunday Eboh), Ivan Kurtusic, Alex Cesar Pedrozo.
Subs not used: Jurgen Muscat, Darrell Grech, Luke Agius, Peter Taiye Oladotun.
Coach: Anton Cremona
Asst. Coach: Louis Cutajar

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Kevin Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Valeriani
Red Cards: 45 1′ Modesto Valeriani
Scorers: 8′ Michael Mifsud (V); 43′ William Barbosa (V); 45 1′ Michael Mifsud pen (V); 54′ Trevor Templeman pen (M); 80′ Michael Mifsud (V); 85′ Steve Borg pen (V); 88′ Trevor Templeman (M)