It’s not over yet in the Maltese Premier League, of course, mathematically speaking. But with four matches remaining, Valletta can only lose the title themselves. At present, it seems as if they have already won it hands down after they beat Hamrun Spartans on Saturday immediately after Birkirkara had dropped three points from their clash against Sliema.

Yesterday it was Marsaxlokk who became the only real challengers after their defeat of Floriana put them five points behind the citizens. However, the five-point gap may be too much to recover in the final four remaining matches.

In the circumstances, Marsaxlokk have now overtaken Birkirkara in the runner-up place.

The Stripes blew away their chances with that unexpected defeat and even if they manage to beat the citizens next Monday, it will now be very difficult to see them overturning a seven-point deficit. Let us not forget that Valletta have to lose at least two matches for Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara to get back in contention, and this when only four matches remain to be played.

The citizens confirmed on Saturday that despite lacking glamour, they are the best side on the island at present. At least, they are showing they are the most consistent team in the competition this season.

Their victory on Saturday grew in stature. It was not just that they were facing bottom club Hamrun Spartans, but also because they seemed to be totally unaffected by the absence of their star player Gilbert Agius, who was suspended.

Paul Zammit’s boys reacted in a most positive manner to an early shock as the Spartans took the lead. They quickly re-established parity and then scored three more times on the changeover because the Spartans scored another consolation goal near the end.

The Spartans seemed to be giving Valletta a decent challenge in the first half, but their efforts petered out after the citizens scored a second goal which paved the way for their victory.

The Stripes did not take advantage of the slump of the Wanderers in these last two months or so. Nobody had expected the in-form Stripes to be defeated by a completely out of sorts Sliema side at this stage of the competition.

Yet, it just happened and it was the Stripes former striker Etienne Barbara who inflicted the damage as he scored twice to help side overturn a fourth minute deficit.

It was the player’s revenge after he – and some others – were unceremoniously told that their services were no longer required by Birkirkara at the end of last season.

Not that the Stripes had really been harbouring hopes of ever reaching Valletta and even winning the title. Their young side was certainly doing well and was also playing some delightful football in the second phase, just after having scraped through into the Championship Pool.

John Buttigieg, however, has one big consolation. He must be well aware that his bunch of young players has gained experience throughout this season and they will only be expected to do better next term.

The team is still within sight of a UEFA Cup place via a second placing in the League or through the FA Trophy in which they have reached the semi-final stages.

As to Sliema Wanderers, coach Stephen Azzopardi must have been consoled with this win at least over two aspects: a victory against his former club must have certainly been a great satisfaction, but more important was the fact that he saw his side return to winning form after so many disappointments which will, almost certainly, leave the club out of Europe next season.

Meanwhile, yesterday evening, Msida St Joseph made an important stpe towards complete safety as they beat fellow strugglers Pieta Hotspurs 3-1 in the Relegation Pool.

The result means that the Saints have now opened a nine-point gap between them and third placed Pieta Hotspurs.

With only three more games to be played, it is obvious that the Saints need just one more point to be sure of retaining their elite status, at least for a another season, while also condemning Pieta to join Mqabba in next year’s First Division.