Having beaten direct challengers Marsaxlokk in the top of the table clash on Sunday to restore their four-point lead, though now over Birkirkara, the citizens can only look forward with great optimism towards a steady final run which should land them the title, perhaps even with some matches to spare.

Coach Paul Zammit emphasised the fact that all matches in the Championship Pool are like finals for Valletta but some, like the one against Marsaxlokk on Sunday, carried more weight because it was against their nearest challengers before Birkirkara’s win against Hamrun Spartans on Saturday.

He was first to admit that it was not a most brilliant performance for Valletta and he was not at all happy with the team’s tactics in the first half when Valletta looked too confused in their final passes when in front of the Marsaxlokk goal.

Valletta changed their tactical play in the second half but still conceded Marsaxlokk’s goal.

But on the positive side he praised his players for the remarkable comeback adding that his gamble on the substitution of Dyson Falzon with Stefan Giglio served well because it brought about Valletta’s equaliser.

“My players kept believing, pressed forward and won the match”

Although this was an important win,” Zammit said. However, he added: “Valletta still have not won anything. There are still five matches to play and these are all important.

Zammit again stressed the fact that Valletta’s strength lies in the collective effort and not on individuals.

Peter Hartshorne (Marsaxlokk’s team manager) was still perplexed with the final result because the way Marsaxlokk played on Sunday it was hard to lose.

He admitted that his side failed to take the many chances they created and finally they paid dearly for their lapses.

About Marsaxlokk’s chances for the championship after this defeat, Hartshorne said that it is now very difficult for his team and it is only Valletta themselves who can lose the title rather than than winning it despite a whole round still to be played.