Denni delivers knock-out blow as Valletta go 12 points clear

Tarxien Rainbows 0
Valletta 2
Scerri 42 pen; Denni 70;

Valletta maintained their imperious march at the top of the Premier League after moving past Tarxien Rainbows in a tight encounter yesterday.

Denni came back to haunt his former Tarxien team-mates as the Brazilian livewire took centre-stage with another influential performance. After winning the penalty which led to Valletta’s opener, scored by Terrence Scerri, Denni applied the knock-out punch midway through the second half.

Coming from a 3-1 victory over champions Birkirkara, Valletta turned in another efficient display yesterday, imposing themselves on the game from the start and giving little space to the Rainbows to push forward.

Thanks to this win, Valletta opened up a 12-point gap over Tarxien and Floriana with four matches to go before the end of the championship’s first phase.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa had to make two changes from the team that beat Birkirkara. Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was ruled out with a one-match ban. Nicky Vella was given the responsibility of guarding City’s goal.

Midfielder Jamie Pace started on the bench after suffering a foot injury in training on Friday. His void was filled by Edmond Agius.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro again had to make do without Brazilian midfielder Sergio who is yet to return from a trip to his native country. Manuel Caruana was back in the starting formation, replacing Justin Grioli who had to settle for a place on the bench.

Valletta ventured forward from the early stages. After only seven minutes, Scerri made good progress on the right before squaring the ball to the sprinting Kevin Sammut who shot straight into the hands of Tarxien goalkeeper David Cassar.

Five minutes later, the Citizens threatened again when Roderick Briffa sped clear on the right and sent in a teasing cross towards Omonigho Temile whose powerful volley flew over.

On 16 minutes, Temile powered his way past two Tarxien defenders before serving Scerri who quickly released the unmarked Denni but the latter was denied by Cassar who effected a brilliant save.

Tarxien tried to subdue Valletta’s early fury with some effective passing football but they looked short of ideas in the last quarter.

Daniel Mariano Bueno created Tarxien’s first scoring opportunity on the half hour when he used his strength to control the ball just outside the area before passing to Mark Tanti who fired over from a good position.

Two minutes later, Cristiano profited from Ian Azzopardi’s hesitancy to steal possession and let fly a rising shot that finished just past the upright.

The match remained balanced with neither side asserting any kind of dominance in midfield but Tarxien grew in composure as the first half progressed.

The Citizens suffered a blow nine minutes from the break as skipper Gilbert Agius limped out injured. He was replaced by Ian Zammit who was detailed to play on the right of midfield as Sammut switched to a central position alongside Agius.

Despite the setback of losing their inspirational captain, the Citizens still managed to forge ahead three minutes from the break. Tarxien defender Lee Galea upended the surging Denni in the area and referee Paul Caruana quickly pointed to the spot.

Scerri stepped up for the penalty kick and sent Cassar the wrong way to put Valletta ahead.

After the interval, the Rainbows began to play with more verve in a bid to get back into the match but poor distribution of the ball in the final third hampered their chances of offering any danger to their opponents.

Valletta remained the more menacing side and on 56 minutes, Briffa’s low cross in the area was pushed away for a corner by Cassar. From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Briffa, Scerri nodded the ball into the path of Jonathan Caruana who failed to connect with the ball.

Two minutes later, Cassar did well to tip over Briffa’s deflected shot that looked to be heading for the top corner.

Close to the hour, Coleiro withdrew Luke Vella Critien, who had a quiet match, and roped in Grioli as he looked to freshen things up on the right flank.

On 65 minutes, Temile dispossessed Steve Sadowski and ran into the area but his pass towards the unmarked Scerri lacked precision and the Rainbows cleared the danger.

Valletta all but assured themselves of the three points 20 minutes from time when they doubled their advantage.

Scerri created space for himself on the right before teeing up Denni who unleashed a powerful first-time shot that gave Cassar no chance.

Eight minutes from time, Valletta almost added a third when Cassar could only palm Zammit’s drive into the path of Denni but the Brazilian just missed the ball and the Rainbows cleared.

Bueno came close to pulling a goal back for the Rainbows in stoppage time but his volley flew just over, to the evident delight of the City fans who saw their team overcome another difficult hurdle in their quest to reclaim the Premier League crown.

Tarxien Rainbows
D. Cassar-6, S. Sadowski-4, M. Caruana-5.5 (61 R. Mintoff-5), E. Pereira-6, Ricardo-5, Cristiano-4 (77 S. Hili), M. Tanti-5, D. Bueno-5.5, L. Vella Critien-5 (56 J. Grioli-5), O. Anonam-5, L. Galea-5.

Valletta
N. Vella-6, J. Caruana-6.5, S. Borg-6.5, I. Azzopardi-6, E. Agius-6, R. Briffa-7, G. Agius (36 I. Zammit-7), K. Sammut-6, T. Scerri-7, O. Temile-6.5, Denni-7 (84 D. Falzon).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow card: Galea.

BOV player of the match: Denni (Valletta).

Attendance: 2,862.