The past weekend saw Valletta maintaining their sole leadership in the standings while Floriana, Hamrun and Marsaxlokk kept up the pace at the top though remaining four points behind the citizens, albeit with a game in hand.

In the meantime, Sliema and Birkirkara dropped back to sixth and seventh places respectively meaning that the two sides will have to pull up their socks and start getting the points that matter in the last five matches in this exciting first phase if they do not want to end up in the Relegation Pool.

Even Hamrun Spartans maintained the pace with an excellent and comfortable 3-0 win over rivals Pieta Hotspurs, moving into third place.

Floriana left it late to beat their Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers while Marsaxlokk also registered a good 3-1 win over Birkirkara.

The Greens, therefore, remain well in contention for the title, as they are now almost assured of their place among the Top Six.

The same can be said of Marsaxlokk and Hamrun Spartans. While the Greens have 24 points, the Spartans are on 23 and Marsaxlokk have 22. And although the clubs still have five matches to play, they now have a good lead over Hibernians and Sliema on 21 and Birkirkara further down in seventh place, on 19.

Following these results one would expect a very tough battle for the points that matter in the remaining matches, especially in the direct encounters and this should ensure not only a battle for the top six places, but also the start of the battle for the title.

At the other end of the table Mqabba are now already certain to be playing in the Relegation Pool in the second phase, while Pieta and Msida are close to be assured of their place in that pool as well.

Valletta were made to fight hard to earn the three points against bottom-placed Mqabba on Sunday. The league leaders had to strive hard to overcome the stiff resistance of Mqabba who are showing improvement with every match.

Two goals in the second half enabled Valletta to break the deadlock and though Mqabba retaliated by scoring a goal with 15 minutes to go, Valletta were good enough to hold on to their slender lead to make sure of the points.

Against Sliema, Floriana showed more determination even if they failed once again to show their early season form. After all, it was the late goal which gave them all the points and that is all they wanted from this match to keep in touch with Valletta near the top.

As for Sliema, it was another sad story. They missed a number of chances, especially in the second half, and they paid for it as Ryan Darmanin’s goal for the Greens came at a time when they could do little to save the match.

Sliema now find themselves in some sort of trouble and unless they roll up their sleeves, Stephen Azzopardi’s boys could even find themselves embroiled in the battle to avoid playing in the Relegation Pool.

The same applies to Birkirkara who are in an even worse situation, two points behind the Wanderers in seventh place.

The Stripes also missed a couple of good chances in the second half against Marsaxlokk which could have saved a point for them. But after Cleaven Frendo’s second and Marsaxlokk’s third in a swift counter-attack, then it was all over.

John Buttigieg’s outfit is suffering from a sort of jinx – they create a lot but fail to deliver the goods. Foreign newcomer Sylla only came in as a substitute in the second half. If he can start scoring the goals that matter, then things could look brighter for the side which needs to win some matches to improve their lowly position in the standings.

Marsaxlokk came back strongly from the heavy 7-3 defeat at the hands of Hamrun to register an important win which has lifted them on to the 22-point mark, six behind the leaders, but with a game in hand.

The champions responded magnificently after suffering an early setback, scoring three times without further reply from the Stripes. Talbot’s men can now look forward to end the first phase on a top note.

The Spartans were favourites to beat lowly Pieta Hotspurs in the second match on Sunday, but the way they did it, confirms that the Spartans are no joke this season.

Not only are they the revelation side of the competition, but they are now dreaming of a place in European football next season – after so many years in the wilderness.

On present form, they certainly deserve it as they are the most consistent side in the Premier League.

Best player

Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk)

The champions’ tiny midfielder is my pick this week after his excellent performance in the 3-1 win over Birkirkara.

It has been a long time since this talented player produced such a performance which included two goals. It was much needed evidence that Frendo is returning to his best form to help his team-mates return to last year’s levels after dome disappointing performances in the past few months.

It is being rumoured that he may switch to Valletta later this month. Such a move could be beneficial for the player in the sense that Valletta are presently on top, but it could also turn to be detrimental at such a stage as it means he will have to start afresh.

Top scorers

10 goals - Sebastian Monesterolo (Valletta)

8 - Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun), Ian Zammit (Valletta),

6 - Njongo Priso (Msida SJ), Marcelo Periera (Mqabba), Etienne Barbara (Sliema W.), Terence Scerri (Hibernians)

5 - Alfred Effiong (Hamrun S.), Ryan Darmanin (Floriana), Malcolm Licari (Marsaxlokk), Stefan Sultana (Hamrun S.)

4 - Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Mark Barbara, Edward Herrera (Pieta H.), Alexsander Madzar (Sliema W.), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Manolito Micallef (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk)

Next fixtures

Saturday 12 January

(at Ta’ Qali Stadium)

2pm Floriana-Marsaxlokk

4pm Hibernians-Sliema W.

Sunday 13 January

(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)

1pm Hamrun S.-Msida SJ

3pm Birkirkara-Pieta H.