Valletta are back at the top of the Premier League standings. They now enjoy a one-point lead over previous leaders Hibernians. While the citizens won 2-0 against modest Balzan Youths, Hibernians dropped two more points from their clash against the Greens who snatched a last-gasp equaliser. Floriana and Qormi earned a point each to remain in joint third place but Birkirkara faltered after losing to Tarxien Rainbows. There was fresh hope for the Rainbows and Marsaxlokk. They both registered excellent wins at the weekend.

Henry Brincat takes a look at the situation after the clubs have now played 10 matches.

Valletta never expected to find such tough opposition from the modest Balzan Youths side. I have been saying all along that Balzan may not be one of the top teams, but they have given all their opponents a good run for their money.

This was also evident on Friday evening when they made the superior Valletta sweat hard for the three points, even if they had to play for over one hour with a man less after having Clifton Ciantar sent off.

On Friday they did not earn any points and that was not a surprise. In fact, everyone expected such a result. But they earned the sympathy of one and all for their stubbornness in front of superior opponents, only succumbing in the final stages, when they conceded the two goals.

Valletta once again disappointed their numerous followers. This season, they are finding it much more difficult than last season to collect the points and, most of all, to entertain the crowds.

Their football has become pathetic, to say the least – I expect much better from a team replete with the best talented footballers on the island.

But, after all, it is the result that counts in the game of football. And that is what the citizens are precisely doing at present. That is why they are on top.

In this sense, they were given a helping hand by Hibernians who could not go beyond a draw in their match against Floriana on Saturday afternoon.

The Paolites also left much to be desired as their performance was well below par. In fact, it was a lacklustre match as even the Greens failed to produce a good show.

However, they showed character to fight till the very end, that is, until they scored a dramatic equaliser deep into added time.

The Paolites may have seen more of the ball, but the Greens might have been a different proposition had they not lost the services of their most experienced player Ivan Woods, not to mention that they were already without three regulars – the suspended goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo and the injured Caruana and Farrugia.

Hibernians failed to take advantage. Perhaps they thought that they had already won the match as the game entered added time. In the second half, they rarely, if ever, tested young goalkeeper Jurgen Borg between the Floriana posts as they appeared happy to control the 1-0 scoreline in their favour without undue pressure.

However, they were wrong as they were taught an unexpected lesson by Floriana, whose draw enabled their arch rivals Valletta to take the leadership once again.

On Sunday, Qormi and Birkirkara had the chance to overtake Floriana. But first Qormi dropped two points in a 3-3 draw with Sliema, while Birkirkara suffered a big shock – perhaps their biggest so far this season – as they lost to an improved Tarxien Rainbows side.

Qormi at least managed to avoid defeat thanks to the agile Joseph Farrugia, the former Sliema player, who is proving to be their great hero this season.

He scored twice, the last one an important equaliser which sealed the scoreline on 3-3.

Sliema again missed victory and it was their fifth match without a win. Their confidence is waning and unless they can return to winning form as quickly as possible, they will have to continue struggling.

Birkirkara seemed to have taken their opponents for granted after having taken the lead early.

But their former coach Patrick Curmi had other ideas. His boys played a perfect tactical game to fight back and emerge worthy winners by the odd goal in five in another entertaining match this weekend.

The Rainbows continued with their recent progress – it was their second consecutive win - and now they look forward to return to last season’s form which enabled them to earn a Top Six berth.

As for the Stripes, it was sheer disappointment for coach Paul Zammit. The team still lacks the confidence one expects from such a side.

At present it is safe to say that Birkirkara’s target this season is not the Championship, but first a place among the Top Six and then, perhaps, a berth in the Europa League next season. On current form, they certainly do not deserve better.

Marsaxlokk must be considered as the biggest enigma of local football this season.

After their recent disappointments, they came back with a big bang on Saturday to beat Hamrun Spartans 5-3 in one of the most thrilling matches so far this season.

One never expected such a scoreline in favour of the southern seasiders, especially now that they have not yet appointed a new coach after the departure of Winston Muscat.

Yet, Obinna Obifuele thought otherwise as he scored a magnificent hat-trick in a brilliant first half to put his side in pole position.

Hamrun had a difficult start, but it became uphill all the way as they failed to master the in-form Obiefule who wrought havoc in their rearguard. Massimo Grima and Co had no reply as he made the most of the Spartans’ shortcomings at the back.

This was, by far, Hamrun’s worst performance this season. It was not surprising to see so many fans leaving the Stadium early. In fact, some even left after the third Marsaxlokk goal.

One wonders what the Spartans would have been like had they not left Omar Borg, Rupert Mangion and Gaetan Spiteri on the bench at the start.

It is true that Spiteri was back in the team at the start of the second half, but by then it was already too late.

On Friday, Mqabba and Mosta took a point apiece from a 1-1 draw.

It was a disappointing performance from both teams who failed to enthuse those present at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

It was a fair result between two teams who never seemed to be showing superiority.

Best player

Obinna Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

The southern seasiders’ striker is my pick this weekend after his five-star performance on Saturday against Hamrun.

His great hat-trick paved the way for his side’s unexpected but richly deserved 5-3 win against the ‘home’ team.

But it was not only his goals that helped Marsaxlokk annihilate the Spartans. He could be seen everywhere – even in defence in the second half when the Spartans were threatening to get back into contention.

Sliema’s loss was Marsaxlokk’s gain this season.

Top scorers

11 goals - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians)

10 – Obinna Obifuele (Marsaxlokk)

8 - Joseph Farrugia (Qormi)

7 - Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara),

Clayton Failla (Hibernians),

6 – Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien R.)