BoV Premier League highlights

Hibernians consolidated their status as top favourites to win the Premier League title after a 5-0 demolition of Sliema Wanderers propelled them six points clear of Valletta at the top of the table.

The first Premier League matches in April 2009 brought delight for the Paolites who capitalised on their rivals' slip-ups with a resounding win over a disjointed Sliema team on Monday.

Clayton Failla set Hibs on their way with a powerful long-range drive on 31 minutes.

The game was as good as over by the 72nd minute after Congo-born striker Zeferino Soares Borges hit a quickfire brace to put Hibs 3-0 up. Mark Miller's men drummed home their supremacy by scoring another two goals through Terrence Scerri and Jean Paul Farrugia, a late substitute for Andrew Cohen.

Monday's goal feast also underlined Hibs' scoring prowess as the Paolites have found the net 62 times in 21 matches so far this season... a remarkable tally indeed.

On Saturday, champions Valletta conceded further ground in the title race after being held to a goalless draw by arch-rivals Floriana in a cagey match.

The Citizens were under increasing pressure to win after going down 3-1 to Birkirkara in their previous match but they were unable to break down a resolute Floriana team who ended a run of four consecutive defeats.

Birkirkara failed to take advantage of Valletta's draw with Floriana after they were surprisingly beaten by Marsaxlokk by the odd goal in three.

Argentine forward Julio Alcorse struck Marsaxlokk's winner from a penalty on 54 minutes after Birkirkara winger Trevor Cilia had cancelled out Marcelo Pereira's opener.

Marsaxlokk's win has dented Birkirkara's title chances as the latter are now eight points adrift of leaders Hibs and two behind Valletta.

The formbook was also turned upside down in the two Relegation Pool matches played last weekend.

On Saturday, Tarxien Rainbows annihilated Ħamrun Spartans to the tune of 5-1 to boost their prospects of avoiding the drop.

The Rainbows' success had a Brazilian flavour as Daniel Mariano Bueno scored a hat-trick and fellow countryman Denni Rocha Dos Santos collected a brace. Ħamrun's consolation goal came from a penalty, converted by veteran striker Stefan Sultana.

On Sunday, Qormi issued a warning about their determination to battle hard to retain their Premier League status with a 5-0 victory over Msida St Joseph.

Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong marked his return to full fitness with a well-taken hat-trick while Qormi captain Joseph Farrugia hit a brace.

Statistics: Scorers, red cards

Birkirkara: Mifsud Triganza 7, Galea 7; Hartvig 4; Bajada 3, Buhagiar 3, Mallia 3; Dimitrov-Mihaylov 3; Tabone 2 (2 pens); Fenech, Sokolov, Anastasi, Cilia. Own goal - Caruana (vs Hibs). Red cards - Bajada (vs Marsaxlokk); Zerafa (vs Hibs); Holland (vs Msida).

Floriana: Darmanin 7; Anonam 4; M. Briffa 2, Madzar 2; Brincat (penalty), Doffo, Caruana, Zarb. Red cards - Bugeja (vs Ħamrun); Caruana (vs Valletta); Borg (vs Birkirkara); Doffo (vs Hibs); Eboh (vs Tarxien).

Ħamrun: Comvalius 7 (1 pen.); Cucciardi 5 (1 pen.), Spiteri 5; Micallef 3; Kokavessis 2, Levnaic 2, Sultana 2 (1 pen.); Ortega (pen), Ryan Fenech. Red cards - Spiteri (vs Floriana), Spiteri (vs Msida), Spiteri (vs Floriana); Roderick Fenech (vs Marsaxlokk, vs Msida SJ); Bondin (vs Valletta).

Hibernians: Scerri 25 (3 pens); Cohen 7 (2 pens), Failla 7; Soares Borges 4; Camilleri 3, Caruana 3, Mbongo 3, Farrugia 3; Galabov 2; Grech, Callejas, Pulis. Own goals - Micallef (vs Ħamrun); Bonnici (vs Ħamrun). Red cards - Mbongo (vs Valletta), Scerri (vs Valletta), Galabov (vs Birkirkara).

Marsaxlokk: Pereira 10; Alcorse 9 (5 pens); Licari 3 (1 pen.); Cassar 2, Said 2; Mattocks, Barbara, Pullicino, Sammut, Kokavessis. Red cards - Camenzuli (vs Birkirkara); Said, Wellman (vs Msida SJ).

Msida: Calcado 11 (2 pens); Aurelio 4; Da Silva 2; Magro, T. Farrugia, Camilleri. Red cards - Da Silva (vs Ħamrun); T. Farrugia (vs Marsaxlokk), Vella (vs Valletta).

Qormi: Effiong 7; Da Silva 4, Chetcuti 4, Farrugia 4; Grima 2. Red cards - Chetcuti (vs Hibernians); Nwoko (vs Ħamrun), Fenech (vs Msida).

Sliema: Woods 6 (1 pen.); Muscat 4; Bjedov 3, Dronca 3 (1 pen.), Coto 2, Bajada 2; Severino, Azzopardi, Nisevic, Briffa, Turner, Ciantar, Mintoff. Red cards - Bjedov (vs Ħamrun), Scerri (vs Hibs).

Tarxien: Bueno 21 (2 pens); Chircop 2, Vella Critien 2, Rocha Dos Santos 2; Buttigieg, Tanti. Red cards - Carapic, Decesare (vs Qormi).

Valletta: Priso 12 (3 pens.); Zammit 6, G. Agius 6 (1 pen.); Falzon 4; Frendo 2, Pace 2; Dimech, Bondin, Tolomeotti, Monesterolo, Grioli. Red cards - Giglio (vs Msida); Priso (vs Qormi).

Next fixtures - National Stadium

Saturday: 15.00 Tarxien vs Msida; 17.00 Marsaxlokk vs Valletta.

Sunday: 15.00 Qormi vs Ħamrun; 17.00 Floriana vs Sliema.

Monday: 19.30 Hibs vs Birkirkara.