Hibernians can well lose their grip on the Premier League top spot by this afternoon after succumbing to their second defeat in their last three matches. Against Floriana yesterday, the Poalites seemed to have run out of ideas and the optimism of their early season flourish is beginning to evaporate.

A much revamped Floriana recaptured their spirit of buoyance after a defeat and a draw, to beat Hibernians with a goal in each half. Their scorers, Anonam and Darmanin combined well in attack, and with the added incisive movement of Caruana, Floriana always had the ascendancy.

It was only in the late stages, after Hibernians pulled one back from a penalty by the returning Cohen, that the Greens had to absorb some pressure.

Hibernians fielded a reshuffled defence. In the absence of Aaron Xuereb and Adrian Pulis, Fleri Soler played alongside Jonathan Caruana in central defence, with Failla playing in a retreated position on the left flank.

The leaders welcomed the return of Andrew Cohen after along lay off, starting in the Hibernians’ team for the first time this season. However he still lacks match practice.

Floriana also had striker Madzar missing but Christian Caruana started the match. The still unfit Mauro Brincat was again absent from the squad.

Both teams struggled to produce anything in a tepid first quarter hour although Floriana went closer with a Caruana shot that hit the foot of the post and rebounded off the grounded keeper Muscat.

On the other end, Farrugia failed to put his foot to Cohen’s low cross as the half chance went to waste.

Floriana made the breakthrough on 19 minutes. Orosko Anonam connected well on a Darmanin cross from the right to beat keeper Muscat with a flick in.

The goal failed to spark any response from Hibernians and the rest of the half remained much a turgid affair.

Things improved slightly after the interval. Hibernians put in Cauchi as left back and moved Failla further up as Callejas did not make an appearance in the second half. Scerri headed a Herrera cross over.

But Floriana remained menacing and a Camoin powerful free kick was turned into a corner by Muscat, aided by the post.

Past the hour, Floriana doubled their lead. Anonam played the ball from the left at the far end for Ryan Darmanin to beat Muscat with a spectacular volley, which prompted exuberant celebrations from the scorer, taking off his shirt and collecting a yellow card.

Hibernians, who had been mostly unproductive tried to regroup, as they put more effort into their game. Farrugia’s effort inside the area was blocked. Mbongo shot the rebound off target.

The Paolites were handed a lifeline on 77 minutes when awarded a penalty after Scerri was floored by keeper Maksic on the edge of the area on the right. Andrew Cohen tucked it away to the keeper’s right to reduce the deficit.

For the remaining ten minutes, Hibernians managed to mount some sustainable, although late, pressure causing many uncomfortable moments to the Floriana rearguard. On an Mbongo deep cross from the right, Julian Briffa almost beat his own keeper when under pressure to clear. And then Caruana headed yet another Failla cross wide as Hibernians failed to avoid defeat.

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Floriana: D. Maksic, S. Eboh, J. Briffa, D. Pisani, C. Camoin, P. Doffo, L. Agius (M. Briffa), J. Borg (M. Gauci), O. Anonam, C. Caruana (D. Zarb), R. Darmanin

Hibernians: M. Muscat, E. Herrera, T. Fleri Soler, J. Caruana, J. Pearson (L. Grech), C. Callejas (E. Cauchi), A. Mbongo, A. Cohen, C. Failla, T. Scerri, J.P. Farrugia (T. Caruana)

Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs: K. Borg, I. Spiteri 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: O. Anonam, R. Darmanin, A. Cohen (pen)

Yellow cards: J. Pearson, L. Agius, C. Camoin, R. Darmanin, D. Maksic

Player of the match: Christian Caruana (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. O. Anonam 2. C. Caruana 3. E. Herrera