Hamrun Spartans 0
Valletta 2
Borg 15, Eiffiong 68;
Valletta swept past Ħamrun Spartans in an impressive way as the champions delivered a powerful statement of intent against one of the busiest sides during the transfer window this season.
Valletta embarked on another expensive summer building programme but it was City’s old solid base of talent that provided the platform for their second successive win as they go in search of Hibernians’ 37 unbeaten record.
The first real threat on goal came inside the first two minutes when Luis Fernando Silva had to deflect Denni’s shot round the post, with the consequence that the Mexican defender limped off after just seven minutes.
The Spartans had to regroup soon after the early loss of Silva as Brazilian striker Carlos Eduardo Toneto Porcari came on and Valletta almost took advantage of the defensive re-adjustment.
Denni’s free-kick produced an athletic save from Omar Borg after 12 minutes.
But there was to be no such reprieve three minutes later when Ryan Fenech’s short free-kick was flicked on by Roderick Briffa towards Steve Borg who put his free header beyond the helpless Borg.
The Hamrun keeper prevented his side from falling further behind in the 26th minute making a flying save to block Alfred Effiong’s shot.
Borg had an easier task to deny William Barbosa before Ħamrun grew in confidence and started to threaten in the latter stages of the half.
Kevin Sammut’s surging run from inside his own half ended with Gaetan Spiteri forcing a fine stop from Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.
Yet, it could have been much worse for Jesmond Zammit’s side by the time they headed for the changing rooms at half-time.
In fact, Valletta almost extended their lead after 40 minutes.
Barbosa picked up the ball and served Denni with a cross inside the area but the Brazilian was wasteful with the goal at his mercy.
After the break, Denni’s movement on the left flank was presenting problems for the Spartans and Effiong was centimetres away from doubling the lead on the hour mark when his header finished just wide following a Denni cross.
On his part, Croatian Nikica Gacesa was cutting an authoritive figure in the heart of the Spartans defence, winning some important interceptions as Ħamrun tried to work their way into the game.
On 61 minutes, Massimo Grima lifted a weak shot into Hogg’s hands when the clear chance demanded a powerful, low strike.
The goal that Jesmond Zerafa’s men long threatened finally came on 68 minutes when Valletta punished Ħamrun’s flat-out approach with a counter-attack.
Fenech carved the Spartans wide open with a surging run on the right before lobbing the ball over the on-rushing Borg as Effiong stabbed the ball home to finish off a devastating counter-attack from Valletta.
It started a spell of Valletta’s most concerted spell of pressure with Effiong and Denni combining well with some delightful interchanges which, however, yielded no further goals.
In the 78th minute, Effiong should have applied the killer blow when Barbosa, another top-notch performer for the Citizens, freed him in the box but the Nigerian striker hit the foot of the post.
The Citizens maintained their high tempo and Denni unleashed a fiery shot which skimmed the woodwork soon after.
The champions took their foot off the pedal as the clock ran down, but Ħamrun were too shell-shocked to take advantage.
Ħamrun Spartans: O. Borg-6, N. Gacesa-6.5, M. Grima-6, R. Fenech-6, A. Ribeiro-5, K. Sammut-7, M. Gauci-5, G. Calabretta-5, C. Polli-4.5, G. Spiteri-6 (73 R. Mangion), L. Silva (9 C. Toneto Porcari-5).
Valletta: A. Hogg-6, J. Caruana-6, S. Borg-7, I. Azzo-pardi-6, A. Effiong-7, R. Briffa-6.5, J. Pace-6, E. Agius-6, R. Fenech-6.5 (71 D. Falzon), Denni-8 (88 O. Zongo), W. Barbosa-7.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Yellow cards: Spiteri, Polli, Ribeiro, Borg.
BOV player of the match: Denni (Valletta).
Attendance: 2,456.
Today: (Hibs Stadium) 18.30 Mosta vs Birkirkara; 20.30 Tarxien vs Floriana.
Tomorrow: (National Stadium) 18.30 Mqabba vs Sliema; 20.30 Qormi vs Balzan