Sliema Wanderers won this top of the table clash against second placed Valletta, opening a four-point lead between two Premier sides with proud histories and heavy burdens of expectations, with plenty to spare.

They confirmed their supremacy throughout, taking a stranglehold on the game, and some say also on the championship.

The Wanderers prompltly established hegemony in midfield where the outstanding Giglio, Brincat and Turner were hungry where required and imperious when the mood took them. Woods was a constant headach for the Valletta rearguard whenever he took possession.

By contrast Valletta, often looking second best, were short of ideas, although there was desire aplenty and Sliema held on to survive a couple of desperate efforts past the hour before claimimg the points with two goals in the last ten minutes.

Both teams were strengthened by the return of players from suspension or injury. Valletta had Penchev included in their starting line-up after a long lay off while Sliema had Brincat back after suspension and they gave a start to Pernis, with Mattocks dropped to the bench.

Sliema showed their offensive intent from the start and Valletta took some time to settle but on 11 minutes Oretan ran in well for Penchev's through ball but his angled shot was saved by Sliema keeper Akanji.

Two minutes later, the Wanderers broke the deadlock following a set-piece. Valletta's keeper Sullivan rushed out for Brincat's sailing free-kick from midfield, but lost the ball when challenged by Said and Ivan Woods toe-poked the ball into an empty net.

Buoyed by that early lead, the Wanderers continued to dominate the proceedings with their firm grip in midfield.

On 26 minutes Pernis passed the ball forward to Doncic whose effort was blocked into a corner by a Valletta defender.

Towards the half hour, after Valletta showed up with a curling Grima free-kick from the left, Sliema again looked menacing after good work by Woods on the right flank. Giglio ran in to connect to his cross but his stooping header lacked the required punch and Sullivan saved.

Valletta's danger was restrained to some Gilbert Agius inventive. Although well marked, the Valletta skipper progressed inside the Sliema area on 37 minutes. His low drive was blocked by Akanji.

The Wanderers threatened again before half-time. Pernis played one-two with Gilglio before unleashing a powerful shot which the outstretched Sullivan turned superbly into a corner.

Then, Nisevic got away with only a booking after bringing down Pernis who was through from mid-pitch.

The pattern of the game did not change much after the interval. Sliema remained the better side as regards ball distribution but scoring chances remained at apremium. A Brincat free-kick thumped against the bar, Giglio netted the rebound but thegoal was rightly disallowed for an offside position.

Turner lacked co-ordination when trying to connect on Woods' pass.

On the hour Valletta made a double substitution putting in Camilleri and Zammit and Sliema were forced to absorb some City pressure after that, as Valletta won a series of corners. A Camilleri long-range shot on 72 minutes was turned into a corner by Akanji and the Sliema keeper stretched himself to hold out Oretan's low drive.

But when Sliema regained momentum, Valletta passed through dangerous moments. A Brincat rasping low shot went tantalisingly wide until Valletta were undone by the Wanderers' second goal nine minutes from time. The sprightly Stefan Giglio ran through the static Valletta defence with alarming ease to side foot Turner's exquisite cross past a helpless Sullivan.

The Wanderers completed the formalities five minutes later when Muscat advanced on the right, his low shot was parried by Sullivan for Ivan Woods to hit in the loose ball.