In-form Hibs take derby spoils

Hibernians 2
Failla 49; Edison 75;
Tarxien Rainbows 0

Hibs produced a brilliant second-half performance to take the derby honours and regain top spot in the Premier League.

The Paolites overwhelmed Tarxien Rainbows and could have won by a bigger margin, such was the gulf between the two teams.

After a somewhat subdued display in the first half, Mark Miller’s men put together a series of flowing moves after the break to underline their status as title challengers.

Luis Edison and Marcelo Dias brightened the occasion with their neat movement and one-touch football.

For Hibs, this was the fifth consecutive victory which lifted them one point above rivals and champions Valletta.

For their part, Tarxien looked to have been handed a lifeline in the second half but Brazilian striker Daniel Mariano Bueno squandered the opportunity as his penalty was saved by Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

The derby was played against a background of bold words from both coaches and the game lived up to the hype but there was no doubt that Hibs’ supremacy merited the win.

While the leaders were brimming with confidence following their victory over Valletta, Tarxien were looking to kickstart their season after gaining only one win from their opening five games.

Deprived of the services of two key players, Orosco Anonam and Justin Grioli, both suspended, this was always going to be an uphill struggle for Coleiro’s team.

Hibs coach Miller was forced to make two changes from the Valletta game. Brazilian defender Diego Balbinot, who failed to shake off a quad injury, was replaced by Aaron Xuereb. Tristan Caruana came in for Adrian Pulis who was suspended after seeing red against Valletta.

Hibs, who had 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 the shaky Tarxien rearguard.

The Brazilian raced through on David Cassar after he had exchanged passes on the edge of the area but the goalkeeper blocked after seven minutes.

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

On the half-hour mark, Bueno escaped from Xuereb and sped into the area before being brought down by the defender but the striker’s optimistic shout for a penalty was turned down by referee Marco Borg.

At the other end, Cassar blocked Edison’s powerful header from Edward Herrera’s right-wing cross.

Hibs improved after the half-time break. Inside the first minute of the second half, Clayton Failla headed Dias’s cross but the ball landed on the roof of the net.

A few moments later, Caruana hit a powerful drive but the ball cannoned off the bar.

The Paolites opened the scoring on 49 minutes. Reaching a pass from Edison, Dias ran into the box and delivered a cross towards the far post where Failla slid in to fire the ball home.

Coleiro tried to boost his team’s attacking threat by bringing on Karl Pulo for Stefan Giglio.

Pulo arrived in time to watch Rodolfo Soares being penalised for hauling down Bueno in the box but the latter’s penalty was pushed away by the diving Muscat.

Buoyed by Muscat’s save, Hibs regained the initiative. After 70 minutes, Failla’s rasping drive was partially saved by Cassar but Luke Vella Critien was on hand to clear the danger.

But there was to be no reprieve five minutes later when more slack defending by Tarxien allowed Edison in for the killer goal. Cassar punched badly, allowing the Brazilian to glance his header home despite Vella Critien’s desperate attempt to block.

Hibs remained the more dangerous side with their rapid attacks but they did not force Cassar into another save before the final whistle confirmed their 2-0 win.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-7, R. Camilleri-6 (84 S. Pisani), T. Caruana-6.5 (87 J. Pearson), A. Xuereb-6, E. Herrera-7, C. Failla-8, A. Cohen-6, M. Dias-7 (78 P. Anizoba), R. Soares-5, B. Kristensen-6.5, Luis Edison-8.5.

Tarxien Rainbows
D. Cassar-5, C. Sammut-5, M. Caruana-6, Everton-5, Ricardo-5 (76 R. Saraiva), A. Galvao-6, S. Giglio-5.5 (66 K. Pulo-5), D.M. Bueno-4.5, L. Vella Critien-6, L. Galea-6, J. Vella -6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Everton; Bueno; Camilleri; Soares; Vella; Muscat.

Missed penalty: Bueno (T) 70.

BOV player of the match: Luis Edison (Hibs).

Attendance: 1,922.

Standings