This much awaited clash between the two most in-form teams in the Premier League at present went in favour of leaders Valletta, who now open a four-point lead over nearest challengers Hamrun Spartans and Floriana, with a convincing win.

Valletta in fact were the more superior side for most of the match and a goal in the early minutes of each half, ensured they remain the only unbeaten side so far this season.

Both registered convincing wins in their previous outings. Marsaxlokk had Gareth Sciberras back in midfield while Valletta again left Omonigho Temile on the bench, with Falzon starting instead. Gilbert Agius, on his way towards full recovery, was named in the Valletta squad and made a late substitute appearance.

Marsaxlokk took a cautious approach, staying composed with four at the back and Sciberras and Guerreiro keeping cover in front of the defence.

Valletta had Falzon and Denni Dos Santos pushing forward from the flanks to support Terence Scerri. They promptly established hegemony in midfield with the imperious Jamie Pace and Kevin Sammut and Roderick Briffa outstanding with his movement and pace.

With Marsaxlokk closing down, Valletta had to shoot from a distance. A Briffa effort went wide and when Scerri ran down the left and played the ball square towards the middle, Denni Dos Santos missed the target.

But there was a certain inevitability about Valletta’s goal after 18 minutes. Briffa ran inside the Valletta area with alarming ease and crossed low from the byeline on the left for the unmarked Kevin Sammut to shoot City in front.

Valletta kept up the initiative and Marsaxlokk were always on the backfoot, with futile attempts from Kokavessis and Licari which hardly troubled the Valletta rearguard.

Valletta were alos menacing from set pieces. On the half hour, Briffa’s dipping free kick narrowly missed the target and then Pace drilled his free kick tantalisingly wide.

Shortly before the break, another Briffa shot was repelled by keeper Gauci but Denni Dos Santos failed to capitalise.

The second half started quite disastrously for Marsaxlokk. After an early close shave effort by Denni Dos Santos on a Sammut through pass, Clive Brincat was injured and while he was receiving treatment behind the post, Valletta scored their second goal on 49 minutes. Dos Santos robbed Templeman of the ball, played it wide on the left towards Dyson Falzon who unleashed a powerful shot at the top corner, rendering keeper Gauci totally helpless.

Eboh went in for Brincat and later Deanov was also substituted by Alcorse.

Marsaxlokk tried to mount some reaction and Effiong’s header was saved by keeper Hogg. Borg’s two-footed dangerous tackle on Guerreiro inside the Valletta area went unpunished.

On 66 minutes, Marsaxlokk crafted the best opportunity, causing some anxious moments to the Valletta rearguard. Guerreiro played the ball to Kokavessis, whose flick towards goal was parried by keeper Hogg, Sciberras’ effort on the loose ball was blocked and then Templeman shot finally over.

But Valletta still looked dangerous going forward. Scerri played a long pass to Denni Dos Santos whose effort was footed by Gauci and on another pinpoint cross by Scerri on 77 minutes, Sammut’s close header was providentially held out by the Marsaxlokk shot stopper.

A curious episode on 82 minutes lead to Alcorse’s dismissal and a tense finale. With play stopped and Eboh being treated in midfield, Borg’s theatrical fall when he came in contact with Alcorse outside the Valletta area, prompted assistant referee Agius to flag the incident and the referee Azzopardi had no option but to caution the Marsaxlokk forward for a second time and send him off.

That brought harsh protests from the Marsaxlokk bench towards Agius. Earlier, Alcorse had been booked for protesting too long after his goal was ruled out for a dubious offside position.

Down to nine men and less than ten minutes remaining, Marsaxlokk knew though that their game was over.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, M. Licari, C. Mamo, R. Galabov, C. Brincat (S. Eboh), G. Sciberras, R. Guerreiro, T. Templeman, D. Kokavessis, M. Deanov (J. Alcorse), A. Effiong

Coach: P. Curmi

Valletta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, R. Dos Santos, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, J. Pace, K. Sammut (E. Agius), D. Falzon (G. Agius), D. Dos Santos, T. Scerri

Coach: J. Zerafa

Referee: A. Azzopardi

Asst.refs: P. Agius, P. Apap

4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: K. Sammut 18, D. Falzon 49

Yellow cards: C. Brincat, G. Sciberras, S. Eboh, J. Alcorse, D. Dos Santos, C. Mamo, T. Scerri, A. Hogg

Red card: J. Alcorse

Player of the match: R. Briffa (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. R. Briffa 2. K. Sammut 3. R. Gauci