The pressure is all on Valletta these days, but as the championship unfolds into a one-horse race, the leaders are finding out that very few opponents, if anyone, can halt their runaway lead.

Still unbeaten, they are 12 points clear of Tarxien and Floriana this morning, after beating the former with two clear goals yesterday, without breaing sweat, to register their sixth consecutive league victory.

Deputising for the suspended Andrew Hogg, Nikki Vella was hardly ever seriously troubled in goal, while Jamie Pace’s absence in midfield went almost unnoticed as Edmond Agius was up to task in that role.

Valletta succeeded in strangling the life out of Tarxien’s attacking options with Bueno and Rodriguez rendered only peripheral figures.

Tarxien, a distant second, failed to put up a decent challenge, with many of their players performing below their best. They were second best in all departments and had little to show except foe a couple of half decent efforts.

As expected, Valletta did the early running, featuring two forwards and plenty of width, trying to prey on their opponents’ vulnerability. Tarxien stayed composed at the back and trying to break away when the time was right.

Valletta were menacing with the pacey runs of Scerri and Denni and Temile providing support, wide on the left flank, from where Valletta mostly poured the embarrassment.

In the opening minutes, Scerri advanced, crossed low but Sammut shot straight on the goalkeeper.

Before the quarter hour, on Briffa’s cross from the right, Temile volleyed over.

On 17 minutes Scerri received the ball from Temile, sent a deep cross for Denni to control and shoot but keeper Cassar turned into a corner with a reflex save.

Tarxien threatened past the half hour. Bueno played an inviting low ball to Tanti inside the area but his shot on the turn went narrowly over the bar.

Minutes later, an Azzopardi short clearance fell in the path of Rodriguez, who missed the target.

On 39 minutes, Gilbert Agius was forced to leave the pitch with a thigh strain and was replaced by Ian Zammit.

With halftime looming, Denni fell under Vella Critien’s challenge inside the Tarxien area to win a penalty. Terence Scerri stepped up to score his 12th league goal of the season and give Valletta the lead by halftime.

Valletta still remained the better team after the interval and before the hour they went close as they won a series of corners. Briffa ran on the right and his shot was turned into a corner by keeper Cassar. Scerri headed towards goal on a Zammit cross but the ball was again cleared into a corner. And then Zammit’s shot took a wicked deflection but keeper Cassar was not to be deceived and tipped the ball over the bar.

Valletta struck the fatal blow on 71 minutes. Scerri chased a long ball on the right and sent a testing cross which Denni Dos Santos finished off with a low half volley.

Knowing that their time was up, Tarxien came about with the usual pot shot from Rodriguez and Bueno.

Valletta remained potent going forward and towards the end, Scerri crossed from left to right towards Zammit, who passed to Dos Santos but he failed to conclude in front of the Tarxien goal.

Tarxien R D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana (R. Mintoff), E. Pereira, R. Costa, C. Rodriguez (S. Hili), M. Tanti, D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien (J. Grioli), O. Anonam, L. Galea

Coach N. Coleiro

Valletta N. Vella, J. Caruana, S. Borg, I. Azzopardi, E. Agius, R. Briffa, G. Agius (I. Zammit), K. Sammut, T. Scerri, O. Temile, D. Dos Santos (D. Falzon)

Coach J. Zerafa

Referee P. Caruana

Asst.refs P. Agius, W. Debattista

4th official C. Pisani

Scorers T. Scerri 44 pen, D. Dos Santos 71

Yellow cards O. Anonam, L. Vella Critien, R. Costa, E. Pereira

Player of the match D. Dos Santos (Valletta)

TMI top 3 1. T. Scerri 2. D. Dos Santos 3. D. Cassar

Attendance 2,862