Leaders Hibernians take derby honours to go top again

Hibernians - 2, Tarxien - 0

Leaders Hibernians produced a brilliant second-half performance to take the derby honours and go back on top of the premier league standings.

Hibernians, who lost four of their last five games against their fierce rivals, looked lively from the outset with Luis Edison and Andrew Cohen proving a constant threat to a shaky Tarxien rearguard.

The Brazilian raced through on David Cassar after put together a slick passing exchange on the edge of the area but the goalkeeper blocked after seven minutes.

For some time this was as good as it got for Hibernians as they tried to dominate possession with the Rainbows appeared stifled by the importance of the occasion.

The leader's opening had been subdued but after the interval they finally demonstrated a measure of self-belief and threat. In the 46th minute, Failla headed Marcelo Dias's cross but the ball landed on the roof of the net. Few moments later, Caruana hit a powerful drive but the ball cannoned off the bar.

The Paolities drew encouragement from their spell of pressure to open the score. After 49 minutes, Tarxien failed to intercept Dias's incursion down the right, before he delivered the cross from the corner and Failla stole in at the far post to stab the ball home.

Coleiro reacted to falling behind by sending on Karl Pulo for Stefan Giglio. He arrived in time to watch Rodolfo Soares being penalised for hauling down Bueno in the box. But Bueno missed the resulting penalty with Hibs captain guessing the right way to make the save.

But Hibernians' renewed self-belief saw them continue in similar vein after the penalty. After 70 minutes, Failla's rasping drive was too hot to handle for Cassar who could only partially save but Vella Critien reacted quicker than anyone to clear the danger.

But there was to be no reprieve five minutes later when more slack defending allowed Edison in for the killer second goal. Cassar punched badly, allowing the Brazilian to glance his header home as Vella Critien's desperate attempt at clearance with the ball finishing into the roof of the net.

It seemed Hibernians' momentum would overwhelm their neighbours but the Rainbows to their credit stood firm.