The title is now practically secured in Valletta’s hands after their dramatic 2-1 win over Birkirkara in Monday evening’s clash. The three points enabled Valletta to extend their lead at the top to eight points over second placed Marsaxlokk and ten over the same Stripes who now will have to turn their eyes on the second place.

This means that the citizens could be crowned champions for a 19th time in their history next Sunday if they manage to beat their eternal rivals Floriana. They could also win the title on Saturday if Marsaxlokk fail to beat Birkirkara.

In fact, it is only Marsaxlokk who still can overtake Valletta if the latter slip in all of their last three matches. Of course, the outgoing champions also have to win all their remaining matches.

Valletta’s title will certainly be a deserved one as they have been the most consistent team throughout the season, also emerging on top in the clashes against most of their challengers.

The way they fought back to draw with Birkirkara in the first round of the championship pool, then how they fought back from being a goal behind against Marsaxlokk to win 2-1 and now repeating the dose against Birkirkara in the final minutes on Monday night is proof enough that Paul Zammit’s side’s determination is second to none. The team’s fighting character came to the fore in these matches and that is what it takes to become champions.

However, it is evident that they have to thank most of all their top scorer Sebastian Monesterolo for their huge success. He has scored 19 goals so far this season and is again the leading scorer in our Premier League.

But let us not forget that way back in December, he seemed to be on the verge of being dropped by Valletta after a rather long lean period in which he was really disappointing. Then, club president Victor Sciriha had told me that unless he showed improvement by January, then he (the Argentine striker) would have been the first to be replaced during the January transfer market.

Those remarks left their effect on the player. Immediately afterwards he started scoring the goals that mattered until the side took hold of first place which they now command even more impressively than they ever did.

Monesterolo is definitely Valetta’s great hero now. He is scoring all the important goals turning unfavourable situations for his side into great satisfactions.

But the side in general has also been showing good form, even if not very impressive in their performances. What was important, however, was the great determination the players showed throughout the season which has landed them so comfortably at the top.

Birkirkara have missed the bus once again and by conceding two goals in those last few minutes, they also forfeited the chance to overtake Marsaxlokk in the runner-up position, remaining two points behind the outgoing champions and just two ahead of Sliema, who are now ominously moving closer to the top after recovering from a crisis to register two consecutive victories.

The Stripes’ main fault is that they try to overdo it. Against Valletta they again showed that talent abounds among their ranks, but if they play football in a more simple manner, they could be much more effective.

Had they taken the chances after their goal, they would have probably beaten Valletta. Yet, they conceded an equaliser and then a last gasp Monesterolo goal to lose all the three points.

The Wanderers did themselves a world of good by registering a second consecutive win to forget all about the crisis which hit the club in the opening round of the championship pool.

And so the Wanderers have given themselves a lifeline in these last three matches. They are now hoping to save their season by possibly finishing second and earn a place in Europe (UEFA Cup) when everything appeared to be lost a few weeks ago.

The Blues can make a great step forward the coming weekend. The two teams above them, Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara, meet in a direct clash on Saturday and the Wanderers then meet bottom club Hamrun Spartans on Sunday.

So all is not over yet and it is clear that there will be a big battle between these three teams for the runner-up place, possibly till the very end.

Floriana did well to beat Hamrun Spartans to distance themselves from the bottom place, also consolidating their fifth placing in the process.

For the Greens and the Spartans, there was no league interest at stake, but it served them well ahead of their FA Trophy semi-finals.

In the Relegation Pool, everything has now been decided with Pieta joining Mqabba in next year’s first division.

This came about after Msida beat Hibernians 3-1 on Monday evening.

The Saints have thus assured themselves of at least another season among the big guns, but they will now have to struggle to keep some of their players as it is already known that some of the top clubs are knocking on their door in connection with the summer transfer market.