Sliema Wanderers 0
Hibernians 2

Two heavyweights rolled into one another yesterday and at the end of a high-octane encounter, it was the one carrying the heavier ammunition that prevailed.

Exploiting the robust presence of Haruna Doda and Terence Scerri and the high work-rate of the likes of Essien Mbong in the middle, Hibs dealt a blow to Sliema Wanderers' quest for a fourth league title on the trot when beating them 2-0.

After a goalless first half in which Hibs had produced the better football against the cautious Blues, the Paolites, inspired by a string of crucial saves from man-of-the-match Mario Muscat, weathered Sliema's assured start to the second half before landing the KO punches through two of their best players, Mbong and Doda.

It was no more than Hibs deserved for the bold effort turned in by their players who reaped rich dividends for their refusal to be intimidated by Sliema's experience.

Hibs' success has imbued fresh interest into the title race as they are now sharing top spot with Sliema on 24 points, just two ahead of the improving Birkirkara who on Friday beat Valletta 2-0.

The hope of Sliema coach Edward Aquilina to steer his team back to winning ways after their 1-0 blip against Pietà was not helped by the absence of key midfielders Noel Turner, Joe Brincat and Stefan Giglio, the latter being the only one of the three to earn a place in the 18-man squad.

On the plus side, Malta internationals Orosco Anonam and Claude Mattocks were restored to the starting line-up after recovering from injuries.

For Hibs, Edmond Agius and Ben Camilleri were named in the initial XI but coach Robert Gatt decided not to risk Ryan Mintoff, who has only resumed training after being dogged by a back injury, from the start.

Hibernians' improved position in the standings after their 4-1 mauling of Marsaxlokk and Sliema's slip-up to Pietà raised the level of expectancy among their supporters.

This was evident yesterday afternoon as the Hibs faithful commissioned their music-playing friends to enliven the support during yesterday's top-of-the-table clash.

The two sets of supporters did not have much to shout about in the opening 20 minutes as genuine scoring opportunities were hard to come by.

Hibernians displayed greater purpose going forward but they seldom threatened to breach Sliema's defence in which Mauro Di Lello took up a central position in support of Brian Said and Jeffrey Chetcuti. Central defender Darren Debono was serving a one-match suspension after seeing red in the game against the Hotspurs

Five minutes into the game, a David Camilleri free-kick from the right bounced wide of the far post.

As the first half gathered pace, Hibs began to ask more questions of Sliema's defence.

Camilleri fashioned another swerving free-kick that bounced off the crossbar before Akanji caught the eye with crucial saves from a Terence Scerri volley and a Doda shot.

Despite their relentless roaming, Sliema's striking pair of Ivan Woods and Daniel Bogdanovic were largely marginal figures for most of the first half as their midfield counterparts, spearheaded by the striker-turned-schemer Danilo Doncic, spent most of the energy fighting to quell their industrious opponents.

Hibs had plenty of fight in them but the absence of Andrew Cohen because of suspension robbed them of their principal font of creativity.

The Wanderers had been reduced to a string of speculative shots, two of which came from Joseph Farrugia, which posed no danger to Muscat.

David Camilleri's penchant to disengage from defence and drive his team forward had been a conspicuous theme of Hibs' approach in the first half.

One expected Sliema to up their attacking tempo after the break. Seven minutes into the second half, Bogdanovic threatened to give the champions the lead but his dipping effort flew wide.

With Sliema now pouring forward with renewed vigour, the exchanges became much livelier. Muscat did well to repel a long-ranger effort from Bogdanovic. From the resultant corner, taken by Woods, the ball sailed towards Said at the far post but his header was kept out by Muscat.

In no time, Peter Pullicino lined up a diagonal shot that was turned away by Akanji.

Doncic really should have propelled Sliema ahead when Muscat's long pass found him way clear of the Hibs defenders but his scrambled shot was palmed away by the excellent Muscat.

A costly miss that would prove for in their next foray, Hibs moved ahead. It was on 64 minutes when Scerri shielded the ball well inside the area before squaring it to Mbong who hit a low shot past Akanji.

Within five minutes, Scerri was again closing in to connect with a cross from Doda but Akanji rushed out to take the sting out of his effort before Chetcuti cleared the danger.

Sliema's demise was sealed eight minutes from time when Doda bent a free-kick over the wall and past Akanji despite the Sliema goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.

Sliema W.: M. Akanji-6.5, A. Muscat-6, M. Di Lello-6.5, B. Said-6, C. Matt-Ocks-6 ('60 S. Giglio), D. Doncic-6.5, J. Farrugia-6, J. Chetcuti-6.5, I. Woods-6, O. Anonam-6, D. Bogdanovic-6.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-8.5, P. Pullicino-7, A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-6, E. Mbong-8, T.Scerri-7, B. Camilleri-6.5 ('68 K. Spiteri-6), E. Agius-6.5, D. Camilleri-7, C. Failla-6 ('75 R. Baldacchino), H. Doda-7.5.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Scorers: Mbong 64; Doda 82.

Yellow Cards: Agius; Muscat; Chetcuti; Farrugia; Doncic; Scerri.

Bov Player Of The Match: Mario Muscat (Hibernians).