Marsaxlokk kept up their winning streak – seven wins on the trot – to keep a firm grip on the league leadership, two points above nearest rivals Msida SJ before a month-long break.

Msida kept up the pressure with an impressive 4-0 drubbing of Hibernians, after playing some of the best football witnessed this weekend at Ta’ Qali and laying plenty of entertainment.

Two consecutive defeats for Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians open talk of form crisis as Floriana dropped two points in goalless draw with St George’s which keeps them close to the Relegation zone.

Unlucky Pieta Hotspurs were denied that elusive first league win by unimpressive champions Birkirkara, conceding two late goals while Valletta keep up the progress with another win over Marsa.

Leaders Marsaxlokk have a regimental reliable style and are showing the consistency of champions.

Their match against Sliema on Friday was far from an easy ride the final score may suggest. In fact the leaders’ performance was far from full bodied but good enough to enable them win the points and keep on track. They simply defended well and took all the few chances that came their way.

The result might give a false impression. Sliema were never outclassed. They were neat in possession but utterly devoid of penetration.

A second consecutive defeat, their third already this season, might open talks of a crisis, although it is still early in the day to cut Sliema out of the title race.

A look at their results so far, reveals that Sliema’s wins came against the three bottom teams. They failed to beat Birkirkara and Floriana and lost against Hibernians, Valletta and Marsaxlokk. Hibernians also continue to slide down the standings after going down heavily against second placed Msida St Joseph on Saturday. It was also their second consecutive defeat but what was alarming was the way they were outmuscled in nearly every department. Their defence could not cope with Msida’s African attacking trio – Zongo, Nwoke and Babatunde – by far the fastest and deadliest in the Premier League.

Hibernians’ midfield never got to grips and thus the strikers were starved of service.

This was by far the worst Hibernians’ performance since going down 1-4 against Floriana on the opening day.

Msida confirmed their potential as they completely dismantled their opponents in the second half in such impressive style. Paul Fenech, Peter Pullicino and Roderick Baldacchino did voluminous work in midfield. The strikers rounded it all up with some devastating finish.

Msida’s defence is also giving its contribution to their success so far. On Saturday they managed their fifth clean sheet in eight matches to prove the best rearguard in the Premier League.

Valletta meanwhile keep bowling nicely in the slipstream of the leading group, only one point behind third placed Hibernians.

Their win against Marsa was expected but they only made it look emphatic in the late stages, after Marsa were down to ten men with Ewurun’s dismissal towards the hour. That blunted Marsa’s attacking edge when they were still only one goal down and very much in the game.

Valletta were to blame for their profligacy up front, with Monesterolo, Zammit and Agius being the culprits. On the positive side, Valletta keep on winning, even if bereft of players like Forace and Falzon. Massimo Grima meanwhile keeps improving. Do not write off the citizens!

Champions Birkirkara obtained a lacklustre win over Pieta Hotspurs after trailing to Decesare’s goal for a whole 80 minutes. Their long injury list continues to hamper their progress but the Stripes have still not found their momentum and need to improve considerably in the second round if they intend to maintain their title defence.

Lady luck has again failed to smile on Pieta Hotspurs who played a positive match against Birkirkara only to be let down by their coach’s late tactical reshuffle after the introduction of Theuma in attack. Their defence lost its composure and conceded two late goals which doomed them to their sixth league defeat.

Floriana failed to capitalise on St George’s slow start of the season and were held to a goalless draw on Sunday by equally determined opponents. They dropped two precious points which leaves them very much embroiled in the relegation issue. The Greens have cause for concern as their early season magical form has deserted them.

The BOV Premier League resumes on 25 November.