Hibernians’ primacy remained unchallenged this weekend as their impressive early form continued with an assured victory over struggling Tarxien Rainbows with two second half goals that keeps them at the perch.

After an utterly unremarkable first half, Hibernians produced an overwhelming performance in the second and could have scored four or five. With their pace and power up front, punctuated by the delivery of Dias and Herrera from the flanks, the leaders carried too much ammunition for their neighbours in this derby.

Tarxien, who even contrived to miss a Bueno penalty in a crucial moment that could have enabled them to draw level, were outclassed and surrendered to an efficient and occasionally imperious Hibernains.

In the absence of the injured Balbinot and the suspended Pulis, Hibernians gave starts to Aaron Xuereb in defence and Triston Caruana in midfield. Failla retreated as left back.

Tarxien were forced to make some changes from their last win against Mosta. Justin Grioli and Orosco Anonam were suspended and Galvao was preferred to Sarraiva as the fourth foreigner. Carl Sammut started in defence instead of Sadowski.

Play was scrappy in a barren first half with the two sides looking disjointed and slow in their build-ups. Edison was kept under good check by the Tarxien defence and Bueno was left to plough a lone furrow in the Tarxien attack.

The opening exchanges were competitive rather than cohesive. Edison was the first to test Tarxien keeper Cassar with a powerful drive, turned into a corner. The Brazilian was again menacing on 38 minutes, heading Herrera’s cross from the right in the keeper’s hands.

But otherwise, the two keepers remained mostly inoperative as Tarxien showed up with a Giglio pot shot after 21 minutes and Bueno was wasteful on a couple of occasions, when, by his standards, he should have done better.

Miller’s pep talk seemed to have the desired effect on Hibernians at halftime because the Paolites were a transformed side in the second half.

They immediately went close with a Herrera header on Dias’ cross from the byeline on the left.

Then Caruana thumped his shot against the bar. Hibernians’ goal was in the air and it came on 49 minutes when Herrera played the ball wide to Edison who sent a deep cross and Clayton Failla ghosted from the far side to slot the ball low beyond the keeper’s reach.

After Bueno had his shot saved by the grounded keeper Muscat, Hibernians continued with their incisive movement inside Tarxien territory. Cohen went in for a return pass from Edison but missed the target. Keeper Cassar rushed off his line to block as Dias’ feet and the latter arrived late on another Edison cross from the right past the hour.

Tarxien were at pains to keep their shape and needed to change. On 66 minutes Karl Pulo went in for Giglio and hardly two minutes later, Tarxien won a penalty after Bueno was pulled down by Soares inside the area. But keeper Muscat defied Bueno from the spot kick, when he guessed right to hold out the Brazilian’s penalty kick.

Tarxien were rattled and suffered further derision on 75 minutes. Keeper Cassar rushed off his line to fist away a long ball, but, challenged by Dias, dropped it in the path of Luis Edison who shot in despite Vella Critien’s futile attempt to head out.

That goal put the issue beyond doubt. Tarxien never looked like halting their opponents’ velvet patch. Hibernians effected all their three substitutions but remained potent going forward and it was only through some profligacy that they failed to increase the final scoreline.

Hibernians M. Muscat, A. Xuereb, R. Soares, B. Kristensen, A. Cohen, E. Herrera, T. Caruana (J. Pearson), M. Dias (P. Anizoba), C. Failla, R. Camilleri (S. Pisani), L. Edison

Coach M. Miller

Tarxien R D. Cassar, C. Sammut, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, S. Giglio (K. Pulo), R. Costa (R. Sarraiva), R. Galvao, D. Bueno, L. Vella Critien, J. Vella, L. Galea

Coach N. Coleiro

Referee M. Borg

Asst.resf K. Borg, A. Grech

4th official F. Zammit

Scorers C. Failla 49, L. Edison 75

Yellow cards E. Pereira, D. Bueno, R. Camilleri, R. Soares, J. Vella, L. Edison

Player of the match L. Edison (Hibernians)

TMI top 3 1. M. Dias 2. C. Failla 3. B. Kristensen

Attendance 1,922