Hibernians remained within touching distance of leaders Valletta with this comfortable win against hapless Sliema Wanderers, to stay two points adrift in the standings and maintain the title challenge.

Two goals in the first half were enough for Hibernians’ victory, on a night they did not need to break sweat.

Hibernians had midfielder Jackson Lima back in their starting line-up, meaning that Dias was exiled to the bench and Edward Herrera deployed in a wide position. The other components, Clayton Failla, Bjorn Kristensen and Andrew Cohen in front of them, ensured the technically superior Hibernians take full control of the proceedings in midfield as Sliema hardly looked capable of putting up a decent challenge.

The Wanderers, who had beaten Mosta in the previous match, included Beppe Muscat in defence from the start as Alex Muscat playing in midfield and Emiliano Lattes their most advanced forward. Rumen Galabov and Ryan Fenech returned after suspension. But offered little protection by their midfielders, Sliema’s back four were quite a distance off the pace against Hibernians’ pace and power up front.

Sliema however carved out the first chance after 11 minutes. On a Soares short clearance, the ball fell to Alex Muscat whose volley forced keeper Muscat to turn into a corner with difficulty.

The goal came on the other end on 18 minutes. Clayton Failla’s inswinging corner from the right, looked to have surprised keeper Bonello at the near post and when Luis Edison ran in to head, the ball ended behind the line.

Hibernians were galvanised with that lead. Herrera’s effort was blocked by the Sliema defence, the ball fell to Cohen who was denied by the grounded keeper.

Not surprisingly, they even doubled their lead on the half hour. Herrera provided a testing cross from the right for Luis Edison to head past the helpless Bonello.

Sliema substituted Bezzina with Cleaven Frendo and immediately went close with a Mitev menacing free kick that keeper Muscat just deflected into a corner.

On 38 minutes, Mitev put Lattes clear but he shot wastefully wide. And before Mitev’s grounder forced Muscat to stretch himself and turn into a corner, Hibernians threatened when Herrera went past two opponents on the right, but the ball trailed across the face of goal, missing the target by inches.

Trailing by two goals, Sliema faced a more uphill struggle in the second half as Hibernians remained composed in midfield and dangerous on the fast breaks. On Failla’s cross, Edison hit over from a promising position. Soares’ long clearance again fell to Edison who twisted and turned past two opponents on the edge of the area but shot wide.

Sliema lacked creativity and at times looked insipid, knowing that their time was up.

The inclusion of Eyenga for Bogdanovic did not help to improve matters for the Wanderers as they remained always second best in almost all departments.

But with Hibernians switching down the gears, Sliema were invited back in the game and hit a consolation goal with five minutes remaining. Mitev’s free kick was cleared in the path of Cleaven Frendo who volleyed past the helpless keeper Muscat.

Hibernians needed to be on their guard for the remaining minutes but they were not so naïve to let this win elude them at the end.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Pearson, R. Soares, J. Vandelannoite, B. Kristensen, A. Cohen (R. Camilleri), C. Failla, J. Lima, E. Herrera (P. Anizoba), A. Xuereb, L. Edison (M. Dias)

Coach: M. Miller

Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat (C. Gatt Baldacchino), N. Bogdanovic (A. Eyenga), J. Mifsud, R. Grech, D. Mitev, S. Bezzina (C. Frendo), R. Fenech, R. Galabov, E. Lattes, B. Muscat

Coach: D. Doncic

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: C. Failla 18, L.Edison 30, C. Frendo 85

Yellow cards: B. Muscat, B. Kristensen, M. Dias

Player of the match: Luis Edison (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. E. Herrera 2. J. Lima 3. D. Mitev

Attendance: 971