Valletta: M. Montfort, B. Nisevic, S. Pace, M. Grima, K. Cassar, R. Forace, M. Penchev (K. Fenech), G. Agius, M. Galea (D. Zarb), J. Ani (A. Debono), I. Zammit

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Carabott, D. Theuma, T. Farrugia, J. Mifsud, M. Pullicino (S. Tagliaferro), P. Fenech, D. Cachia, C. Sciberras (R. Bajada), D. Nwoke (S. Grima), I. Babatunde

Referee: P. Caruana. Asst.refs: K. Borg, S. Tanti 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: R. Forace, I. Babatunde, D. Carabott, D. Nwoke

Yellow cards: M. Pullicino, B. Nisevic, P. Fenech, I. Zammit, M. Grima

Player of the match: I. Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. I. Babtunde 2. D. Carabott 3. D. Cachia

Msida recovered from a bleak start of two consecutive defeats to pull off a tactical triumph which condemned Valletta to their second defeat of the season.

The Saints’ high work rate saw them shrug off an early setback, after conceding Valletta’s opener, to score three times and completely outplay an opaque Valletta side, devoid of ideas, which never got started.

Incessant running and offensive play by their striker Ibrahim Babatunde contributed to the Saints’ success, albeit helped in no small way by the hard working midfielders and a watertight backline. Msida wasted other numerous goal scoring opportunities which could have earned them an even bigger win.

Msida gave a debut start to defender Mark Pullicino, their recent signing from St Patrick, as Sciberras started the match. Bajada was only used as a late substitute.

Valletta had Penchev and Pace back in their side, but the former played only for the first 45 minutes and then made way for Fenech in midfield.

The Citizens were the first to break the deadlock after ten minutes play when Galea’s cross from the right fell to the unmarked Rene Forace on the edge of the Msida area and he was on target with a rising shot that beat keeper Borg.

Msida’s response was immediate and fierce. Babatunde’s lively runs and dribbles, when given good service by Carabott, Sciberras and Cachia, seemed to trouble Valletta’s rearguard.

On 21 minutes, the Nigerian striker towered himself to head Carabott’s long cross at the top corner, out of the stretched Montfort’s reach.

From then on the Saints looked by far the more enterprising, raking long balls forward as Valletta struggled to put up anything productive.

After Babatunde tested the Valletta keeper with another insidious header, Msida threatened midway through the half with Fenech going through on the left on a Farrugia perfect pass, but hit the side netting when faced by Montfort.

Msida continued to squander their chances as Sciberras shot Carabott’s cross off target. And on 38 minutes Carabott whipped a free-kick which the lanky Theuma headed against the bar.

Before the break, Msida could have gone into the lead, were it not for lack of accuracy in front of goal. Babatunde showed all his skills when going past two opponents but then hoisted his shot. Then Sciberras’ teasing cross was met by the unmarked Nwoke, who headed off target and the chance went astray.

But Msida reaped reward two minutes into the second half as a David Carabott low direct free-kick took Montfort completely by surprise and ended in the net.

Dejected Valletta somehow tried to regroup. A Forace effort went narrowly over.

However, Msida struck again on 56 minutes. Their two Nigerians, Babatunde and Nwoke combined to telling effect. The former sent a low cross from the left for the latter to hit first time at the top corner.

Valletta needed reinforcements. Debono was drafted in for Ani but Msida remained the more menacing.

On the hour Nwoke headed a Carabott free-kick over the bar and eight minutes later Babatunde ran down the left flank, beating Cassar’s challenge before flicking the ball narrowly wide.

On the other end keeper Borg denied Agius, saving his close range shot into a corner.

Surely having an off day, Valletta remained mostly on the receiving end. Winless in three matches, problems may start piling up for the Citizens.