Hibernians 1
Valletta 2
Hibernians: A. Hogg, D. Vella, N. Radojevic, J. Mbong, M. Dias, J. Degabriele, B. Kristensen, I. Ntow, T. Marcolino, A. Agius. T. Fonseca (M. Sahanek 33)
Valletta: H. Bonello, J. Caruana, R. Camilleri, S. Malano, M. Piciollo (B. Gavrila 74), E. Pena Beltre, J. Zerafa (J. Borg 65), R. Muscat, M. Alba (K. Nwoko 86), B. Kaljevic, M. Fontanella
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst refs: L. Portelli, M. Scerri
4th official: Emm. Grech
Scorers: T. Fonseca 4, S. Malano 47, M. Alba 83 pen.
Yellow cards: R. Muscat 6, N. Radojevic 36, M. Piciollo 39, B. Kaljevic 52, J. Mbong 54, J. Caruana 86, B. Kristensen 90
Red card: I. Ntow 54
BoV Player of the Match: S. Malano
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Hogg, 2. S. Malano, 3. M. Alba
Attendance: 2,722
Valletta moved to the top of the standings yesterday evening as they emerged victorious from their clash with joint leaders Hibernians by the odd goal in three.
The Paolites opened the score early through Tiago Fonseca - albeit a very controversial goal - but Valletta equalised on 47 minutes through Santiago Malano. Seven minutes from the end, Miguel Alba scored the winner for Valletta from the penalty spot.
The result means that the hunt for the league title is now tighter than ever as Valletta and Hibernians now have 34 points each, one more than Gzira.
This much-awaited clash attracted a somewhat 'large' crowd to the National Stadium which was kept on tenterhooks till the very end.
The first half was intense, especially after Hibs took the lead with a highly controversial goal which is described further down this report. Also, at the end it was the Paolites who protested hotly with the official after Mr Farrugia whistled the end of the first half when they evidently had a great chance to increase their lead.
From then on, the citizens laid siege on the Hibs fort in an effort to get back on level terms, but the Paolites withstood the onslaught inspired by a great performance from Andrew Hogg, especially in the final 15 minutes.
The Paolites also contrived to miss two good chances as they were always dangerous in their few counter attacks.
In the second half, it was a different story. When Valletta equalised soon after the start, the Paolites suffered a double setback when they had Ntow and their Italian coach Sanderra sent off.
This provided Valletta with a lot of space, but the Paolites defended grimly until they finally succumbed to the rampant Valletta side as they conceded for a second time, this time from the penalty spot.
Hibernians took the lead on four minutes albeit in a very controversial manner. Mbong was flagged offside by the assistant referee when he received the ball from Jurgen Degabriele. The in charge, Philip Farrugia, simply ignored his assistant's flagging and waved play on, the ball finishing kindly at Tiago Fonseca's feet who easily found the net with the city defence waiting for the official's whistle for an offside. However, it never arrived and the goal was convalidated among several hot protests from the field and from the terraces.
On 13 minutes, Hibs almost doubled their lead when Degabriele was unmarked on the edge of the area on a pass by Vella, but his shot was splendidly saved by Bonello to corner.
Valletta's reply arrived on 27 minutes through a Miguel Alba freekick which was however well saved by Andrew Hogg.
In the 30th minute, Valletta threatened again when off an Alba cornerkick, a Fontanella header was well saved by goalie Hogg.
On 37 minutes it was Piciollo who tested Hogg, but the Hibs goalie was not surprised.
On the 38th minute, it was again Hogg who denied Valletta an equaliser as he turned to corner a Jonathan Caruana angled shot.
Moments later, at the other end, Hibs had a glaring opportunity to score a second goal when Marcolino failed to shoot from an ideal position and was eventually robbed of the ball.
In the 41st minute, an Alba freekick saw Piciollo flicking goalwards, but Hogg dived sideways to save spectacularly.
The interval whistle came among more controversy as Mr Farrugia opted to end the first period when the Paolites' Marcolino received the ball from a clearance in midfield with a clear chance of a goal. His whistle brought about hot protests from the Hibs clan this time.
Soon after the second half started, Valletta obtained the equaliser. From an Alba freekick, it was Santiago Malano who headed past Hogg.
In the 54th minute, Hibs ended in 10 men when Ntow was shown a second yellow card. And not only. They also had their coach Stefano Sanderra shown the way to the dressing room after moving out of his 'restricted area'.
In the 61st minute, Degabriele was through in the City area, but his dangerous cross was intercepted in time by Bonello.
Six minutes later, from an Alba cross, Piciollo's first timer was not far away from the target. And soon after, from a Piciollo cross, it was Kaljevic who saw his flick deviated to a corner by a Hibs defender.
The citizens were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute, when Jurgen Degabriele floored Fontanella in the area and from the resultant spotkick, Miguel Alba made no mistake to send City's numerous fans into raptures.
The end soon came with three clubs - at least - fighting a tight battle for the title.