Wins for Hibernians, Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Hamrun Spartans this weekend saw them climb further up the standings, but the most significant improvement was surely Valletta’s who are now in second place, the highest so far this season, only one point adrift of leaders Sliema Wanderers.

With their confidence tangibly improved, Valletta put to the sword neighbours Floriana with almost the same ease they had beaten Marsaxlokk a week before, taking a stranglehold on the match, and some agree also the championship.

A clear 4-0 victory not only avenged the first round defeat but also consolidated the team’s strong claims for the title win.

This time Valletta looked composed, full of flair and extremely quick. The ever improving Frank Temile gave a valid contribution with his pacey runs and a well taken fourth goal that definitely dismantled Floriana.

Valletta’s win was only marred by Monesterolo’s sending off, after a banal handling when already on a yellow card. He will now miss his team’s next match against Pieta.

Floriana are in a mini crisis. They have collected only one point from their last three games and have slid to third place in the standings. Their early form has deserted them and their strikers must rediscover their scoring touch quickly if they wish to avoid a further slump.

More worryingly, they have conceded eight goals in their last three matches, showing deficiencies in defence. Against Valletta they found it hard to keep the pace with their opponents and it was only in the early stages that they carved a couple of scoring chances, ably denied by Valletta keeper Andrew Hogg.

Hibernians also made strides forward with their deserved, although unspectacular, win against Birkirkara on Saturday.

To say that the first half was lacking in action and excitement would be an understatement. However Hibernians always showed the better ideas and carved the better chances although it took them almost half an hour to break down Birkirkara’s rearguard.

On the few occasions the game almost woke up, Andrew Cohen was always involved. Chukunyere and Scerri also showed a few flashes of class. But once the Paolites took the lead, there was never any doubt about the final outcome.

Birkirkara were a disappointing lot and failed to produce the same enthusiasm and determination that saw them finish off Floriana the previous week. Outplayed in midfield, the Stripes looked disjointed and hardly provided their forward line with good service.

It was evident from the start that Birkirkara would find it tough against the Premier Legaue’s best defence, especially in the absence of Michael Galea.

Birkirkara have lost some ground, falling behind the trio of teams just above them, although Pieta Hotspurs remain at a distance behind them after also losing their match against Marsaxlokk.

After their surprising win against Sliema Wanderers, Pieta, missing several key players, succumbed to their sixth league defeat against Marsaxlokk, in a match that almost refused to spark into life, between two teams yet to show real consistency.

Marsaxlokk, with various changes in their line-up, just managed to gain some lost pride after the Valletta debacle but they are still miles away from their convincing form. They needed a first half penalty to take the three points but again showed great shortcomings in attack.

Two unpleasant episodes in this match, for different reasons, were the serious injury to young Pieta debutant Francesco Sulas, after an unorthodox foul by Conceicao which left him motionless on the ground and could have had by far more serious repercussions were it not for the timely intervention of referee Anton Zammit, as well as the substitution of Marsaxlokk’s Cleaven Frendo in the dying minutes after he had gone in as a substitute some 12 minutes before. As he walked away, Frendo threw his jersey at the standing coach Talbot before making his way to the dressing room, as Frendo’s days with the champions seem to be numbered.

Hamrun Spartans extended their unbeaten run to five matches, beating Mqabba with plenty to spare. Their flowing passing game had their opponents on the back foot from almost the initial stages and the second goal just before the break, had a telling effect on the final outcome. While Hamrun keep their aspirations of a top-six finish on track, the other newly promoted team remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League, with nine defeats from ten matches as the relegation battle for Mqabba is already on.