There were no changes at the top of the standings after the seventh round of matches, but there were some surprise results. The victories for Mqabba and Hamrun Spartans over Qormi and Sliema Wanderers respectively were highly unexpected while the third defeat for Birkirkara against Valletta has sounded the alarm bell for the Stripes if they wish to make it to the Top Six in the second phase. Like Hamrun, Marsaxlokk also returned to winning form to move to a healthier position after a hesitant start to the season.

Henry Brincat takes a glance at what happened in the past weekend’s six matches.

Valletta got the better of Birkirkara by the odd goal in three in what was the big match of the past weekend.

The citizens therefore moved temporarily to the top of the standings, even though Hibernians regained that spot on Monday evening after their victory against Mosta.

The citizens certainly deserved their win, even if the Stripes clan might say they deserved something better.

Jesmond Zerafa’s boys proved to be more incisive on the day and the scoreline could have been bigger had they been more accurate in their finishing.

The fact that their two goals came following set pieces does not make any difference. They were two splendidly headed goals, first from Jamie Pace and the other from Steve Borg. And even Birkirkara’s goal was worth a mention. It was two splendid passes – first from Fenech to Cilia and then from Cilia to Moises Avila – that led to the Spanish striker beating Hogg for the temporary equaliser.

So Paul Zammit’s return at the helm of the Stripes was not a fruitful one, but one must admit that the side showed remarkable progress, especially at the back, considering the opponents they were facing on Saturday.

At present, Birkirkara are far away from the leading duo and they will have to get back soon on the winning track if they are to keep their hopes of finishing the first phase among the top six alive.

Floriana remained strongly in contention after beating a sturdy Balzan Youths side on Monday evening.

What on paper looked an easy match for the Greens became a difficult one, especially when the Youths opened the scoring to shock their more illustrious opponents.

However, the Greens came back strongly to score three goals and ascertain themselves of the three points.

On Saturday Mqabba provided the major upset of the weekend when they beat Qormi by a solitary goal scored by Mamic.

The victory was a deserved one for Mqabba as Qormi failed to produce a decent effort to make the leap to the 13-point mark.

At the end, they remained on 10 points, the same as Birkirkara, while Mqabba joined the two teams with the same number of points. At present it looks like these three teams will be fighting for two places in the top six.

Mqabba are certainly the revelation side this season, judging from their performances so far. It is certainly not a coincidence that they are occupying such a good placing and they might even do better now that they are playing with much more confidence than they did in their early matches.

On Monday evening, Hibernians returned to the top of the standings with an easy 2-0 win against bottom side Mosta.

The Paolites made the most of Mosta’s deficiencies – including that of having a man sent off early in the match – to control the match from start to finish, winning with great ease.

Oliver Spiteri’s unlucky Blues were no match for the league leaders in 10 men. It was already a huge task to face the in-form Paolites at par, let alone with a man less for such a long time.

The Paolites, in fact, quickly took the lead through a Failla freekick after Yannick Ossok was shown the red card by the Irish referee after just eight minutes.

From then on, Mosta had to defend for long stretches and never appeared to bother the dominant Paolites who sealed the issue with a second goal from the usual Edison dos Santos a few minutes from the end.

Marsaxlokk returned to winning form after a long stretch of five matches without a victory.

The game against Tarxien was one of the most entertaining matches so far this season with some spectacular goals.

Obiefule proved to be the match-winner for the southern seasiders. His great performance – his best so far since joining Marsaxlokk, enabled the side to reap the best dividends – the three points – to move to a healthier place in the standings.

For Tarxien, nothing seems to be going well so far this season. At present, Noel Coleiro’s side seems just a shadow of the team that we witnessed in the past two seasons. Unless they pull up their socks and show more commitment, they are bound to go through a disappointing season.

Hamrun Spartans registered the most impressive win of the weekend and after beating the Wanderers 4-2, they have now moved to a healthier position in the standings.

On such form – they even contrived to miss a penalty – they should have no trouble about relegation. In fact, they can even make it to the Top Six if luck is also on their side in the forthcoming matches.

Sliema lost their unbeaten record in this match after three wins and three draws. It is incredible how the team collapsed in the second half as the Spartans scored three quick goals to come from behind and take command.

Is it alarm bells for the Blues? Or perhaps, it was just a one off as they try to keep the pace with those at the top.

Best player

Edmond Agius

(Valletta FC)

The City midfielder is my pick this week after his five-star performance in his side’s 2-1 win over Birkirkara last Saturday.

Agius worked hard in midfield for Valletta, especially at a time when Birkirkara equalised and appeared to be in threatening mood, though rather briefly.

Agius helped his side in no small way to gain control of midfield, even if one has to admit that the citizens laboured to get past the Birkirkara defence.

Top scorers

9 goals - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians)

7 – Obinne Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

6 –Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara)

5 – Clayton Failla (Hibernians)

4 –Alfred Effiong (Valletta),

Joseph Farrugia (Qormi), Miguel Ciantar (Balzan Y.), William Barbosa (Valletta), Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.), Christian Caruana (Floriana), Miguel Ciantar (Balzan Y.), Bojan Mamic (Mqabba),