Hibernians add more misery to Valletta

This defeat keeps Hibernians just two points behind leaders Birkirkara while Valletta sit seven points behind.

Valletta are in crisis as this is their third consecutive defeat after losing to Tarxien Rainbows and Birkirkara.

Hibernians showed their dominance right form the start as they took the lead as early as the fifth minute.

Jason Lee Vandelannoite dribbled past goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo to then have his shot hit the post and end up at the back of the net.

Valletta immediately replied when a freekick by William Barbosa was blocked by a defender and off the rebound, Ryan Fenech could not score after two attempts being denied by goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Valletta were made to regret their missed scoring opportunity when Hibernians doubled their lead on the 26^th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Jason Lee Vandelannoite brought Edison Louis dos Santos inside the area to have the referee point to the penalty spot. The referee sent off the Vandelannoite. From the penalty spot, Clayton Failla made no mistake with his shot to beat goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo.

On the 30^th minute, Hibernians were three goals up thanks to Jean Paul Farrugia. A shot by Marcelo Dias was Partially saved and off the rebound Farrugia easily placed the ball at the back of the net to make the score 3-0.

On the 40^th minute, Valletta managed to get on the scoreboard. After a foul by Ryan Camilleri on Michael Mifsud. William Barbosa beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat from the penalty spot.

On the 80^th minute, substitute scores a fantastic goal from outside the area that left no chance for goalkeeper Manual Bartolo to make the score 4-1.

Valletta managed to score their second goal of the match thanks to another penalty on the 89^th minute. Mario Muscat brought Abubakar Bello-Osagie down inside the area. Mario Muscat was sent off and Demba Toure scored from the penalty spot to make the final score 4-2.

Edison Luis dos Santos was voted BOV Player of the Match.

Hibernians: Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (62' Jackson di Lima Siqueira), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Zoran Levnajic, Edison Luis dos Santos (83' Ayrton Azzopardi), Jean Paul Farrugia (90' Daniel Balzan gk).

Subs not used: Scott Chircop, Brandon Muscat, Keith Tanti, Karl Conti.

Coach: Michael Woods

Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

Valletta: Manuel Bartolo, Roderick Briffa, Jonathan Caruana, Jason Lee Vandelannoite, Ian Azzopardi, Edmond Agius (46' Dyson Falzon), William Barbosa (73' Abubakar Bello-Osagie), Denni Rocha dos Santos (73' Joao Gabriel da Silva), Demba Toure, Ryan Fenech, Michael Mifsud.

Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Llywelyn Cremona, Joseph Jo Jo Ogunuppe, Daniel Camilleri.

Coach: Mark Miller

Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri

Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Albert Borg Cardona

Fourth official: Clayton Pisani

Yellow Cards: Kristensen, Camilleri, Farrugia, Fenech, Toure, Briffa, Caruana

Red Cards: 25' Jason Lee Vandelannoite, 89' Mario Muscat

Scorers: 5' own goal Jason Lee Vandelannoite, 26' Clayton Failla (pen); 30' Jean Paul Farrugia; 40' William Barbosa (pen), 80' Jackson di Lima Siqueira, 90' Demba Toure (pen)