Valletta have - quite unexpectedly - stumbled at the start of the second phase – the Championship Pool – but although they missed two good points, they are still comfortably placed at the top, six points ahead of second placed Birkirkara.

It was a somewhat pathetic performance by the citizens who were careless in their approach.

Having taken an early third minute lead against the Spartans, they failed to capitalise and allowed their opponents to come back strongly.

It must also be mentioned that City were unlucky not to have scored near the end as Gilbert Agius had a shot hitting the crossbar.

They paid dearly for their lapses as their former striker Dyson Falzon, on loan with the Spartans till the end of the season, scored a brilliant equaliser some 10 minutes from the end to give his side a deserved point.

Falzon had also scored the equaliser for the Spartans a few weeks ago when the two sides figured in another 1-1 draw near the end of the first phase.

The Spartans adopted the right approach. Despite suffering an early goal, they never gave in and went out in search of the equaliser. Not only did they get it, but they were close to scoring a possible winner as it was City goalie Hogg who saved his side from defeat with a superb save on a Lee Agius effort close to the end.

Birkirkara are now City’s closest challengers, although they are still six points adrift with nine more matches to go, including the two direct clashes.

The Stripes, led by an in-form Paul Fenech, fully deserved their 3-1 win against the Rainbows. Paul Zammit’s boys dominated throughout the encounter and could have scored more goals had it not been for Tarxien goalie Cassar who saved his fort on several occasions with some good saves.

The Rainbows were found wanting at the start of this phase where points are very important in view of next season’s Europa League.

The defeat has seen them dropping two places – to fourth – just behind Marsaxlokk. Both have the same number of points – 15 – but the southern seasiders have a better goal difference.

This is because Marsaxlokk registered a very convincing 4-0 win over Floriana in which Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong scored a very impressive four goals.

Patrick Curmi’s boys have now moved into third place and it is evident that they are facing the Europa League challenge with great optimism. After their elimination from the FA Trophy, their principal target this season has become the second or third place in the league.

Floriana were on the receiving end as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.

It was a very disappointing performance and one was not able to recognise the Greens from their earlier matches.

Since making sure of their Championship Pool berth, the Greens have failed miserably and they are now risk failing in their ambition to play in European football next season after a rather long absence.

The defeat brought about the downfall of Bulgarian coach Todor Raykov and now it all depends on Michael Woods to lead the side to a better future.

The most important match this week was that played on Sunday afternoon from the Relegation Pool between bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars and the team just above them Hibernians.

Only two points separated the two teams before the match, but after the Paolites’ 2-1 win, the distance between the two sides has increased to five points.

The Paolites, despite being reduced to 10 men in the final 30 minutes after the dismissal of Fairbairn, merited their win as they displayed determination and commitment – a rarity on their part this season.

It was an encouraging performance from the Paolites who are now five points clear of the bottom place. However, they are aware that it was only the first of six matches and they have to face another five possible battles for survival, including the second round clash against the same Stars.

The latter did their best to avoid defeat but it was to no avail. The result was a big setback to their hopes of avoiding the Drop, but not everything is lost yet.

But now they must spring back and obtain points in their forthcoming matches against Qormi and Sliema if they are to maintain their hopes alive.

On Monday evening, Danilo Doncic’s Sliema Wanderers made a useful and important step towards safety as they demolished Qormi 4-0.

The Blues maintained their recent impressive form and repeated the result of their previous encounter – a 4-0 defeat of Hibernians in their last phase one match.

For Qormi it was a disastrous performance and one which has to be forgotten quickly by the whole clan if they are not to become embroiled in the perilous waters of this Relegation Pool.

The side conceded too much space for the Wanderers apart from lacking coordination among their ranks.

Best player

Paul Fenech

(Birkirkara FC)

It was easy to name Alfred Effiong as the best player this weekend having scored all four goals in his side’s 4-0 win this season. But this honour is not about the best scorer.

In my opinion, as a player, it was the Stripes’ national team midfielder Paul Fenech, who deserved the award.

Fenech played his best match for the Stripes this season. He was in inspiring form and he contributed in no small manner towards his side’s impressive victory. He had a good say in his side’s first two goals and then crowned his performance by scoring the third goal himself.

Top scorers

14 goals T. Scerri (Valletta)

13 goals A. Effiong (Marsaxlokk)

11 goals G. Spiteri (Hamrun S.)

9 goals D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)

8 goals JP Mifsud Triganza (Sliema W.)

7 goals C. Dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien R.), E. Lattes (Birkirkara)

6 goals I. Woods (Floriana), A. Ewurum, E. Dos Santos (Vittoriosa S.), D. Nwoke (Floriana), D. Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.), Jackson Lima, O. Obiefule (Sliema W.), Paul McManus (Hibernians)