This was another routine win for Valletta as they easily disposed of inferior opponents Hibernians, capitalising on the Paolites’ present woes and crisis, to remain firmly in the lead of the Premier standings.

Valletta’s classy football, especially in the opening part, cut Hibernians apart and after taking the lead midway through the first half, there was going to be only one outcome.

Valletta added a second in the second half to dismantle their poor opponents.

Hibernians are unable to lift the gloom that has settled into the side this season as they failed to raise their game and give Valletta a decent challenge. For a long time they were a distant second best in all aspects of the game, devoid of ideas and self belief. Their slender resources showed as the match unfolded.

More was expected than delivered.

Valletta made only one change from the side that beat Vittoriosa Stars the Monday before. Jonathan Caruana was back in defence for Ramon Dos Santos. That meant Gilbert Agius and Dyson Falzon again were named as substitutes.

Hibernians dropped Jonathan Pearson to the bench and had Ritchie Hart suspended. Aaron Xuereb and Paul McManus were given the nod instead after missing the previous match.

As expected, Valletta made the more assertive start and raked several balls inside the Hibernians’ area by Temile and Sammut from the flanks. The towering presence of Clarke and Xuereb in the heart of the Hibernians’ defence held them at bay.

Towards the quarter hour, Sammut whipped a free kick from the right and Pace’s header was tipped over the bar into a corner by keeper Muscat, continuously taunted by the City supporters, in Valletta’s first real threat.

Pace laid down a high ball towards Scerri, who failed to conclude in front of goal.

On 22 minutes Denni Dos Santos headed Valletta into the lead as he connected well to Sammut’s cross from the right, but he fell awkwardly when he came in contact with Herrera, hitting his head to the ground. Denni could not continue playing as he lost consciousness. Ian Zmmit went in instead.

Denni had been revelling in his forward role and after his substitution, Valletta lost some of their rhythm. Although they kept the possession, they hardly ever looked penetrative.

Past the half hour, Cohen found space but his tame shot ended in Hogg’s hands. Before the break, the Paolites broke away through Cohen. Pisani played a long ball inside the Valletta area to Sereno, who chipped it narrowly over.

Valletta went close again shortly after the break. Scerri advanced from the left on Temile’s pass and shot against the upright. Sammut failed to connect on the rebound.

But Hibernians fell further behind on 52 minutes as Terence Scerri did better with his chance against his former team, after dispossessing Xuereb of the ball inside the area and beat keeper Muscat with an exquisite curling shot at the top corner.

It was Scerri’s eighth league goal this season and takes him top of the scorers’ list.

That virtually killed the match and secured the points for the leaders.

Hibernians pulled off Cohen and on the hour, Sereno shot his free kick over the bar.

Two minutes later, Zammit tested keeper Muscat with a blistering shot from outside the area.

Hibernians went on to effect all three substitutions but even when Pearson and Herrera had efforts narrowly missing the target, they knew that their game was up as Valletta kept playing among themselves in neat triangles without exerting themselves beyond the necessary.

By the final whistle, the match had long been over as a contest

Valletta: A. Hogg, R. Briffa, J. Caruana, E.

Agius, J. Pace, S. Borg, I. Azzopardi, K. Sammut (K. Magro), O. Temile (D. Falzon), D. Dos Santos (I. Zammit), T. Scerri

Coach: J. Zerafa

Hibernians: M. Muscat, E. Herrera, M. Gauci, A. Xuereb, B. Kristenssen, Z. Levnaic, P. McManus, S. Pisani (J. Pearson), M. Clarke, A. Cohen (W. Chircop), P. Sereno (J.P. Farrugia)

Coach: M. Miller

Referee: A. Arciola

Asst.refs: P. Agius, K. Borg

4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: D. Dos Santos 22, T. Scerri 52

Yellow cards: Z. Levnaic, E. Agius, A. Hogg

Player of the match: J. Pace (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Pace 2. K. Sammut 3. R. Briffa

Attendance: 3,147