Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Hibernians 5
Jorginho 9; Failla 21; Agius 29; Cohen 39, 79;

Leaders Hibernians crushed Żebbuġ Rangers 5-0 in a one-sided encounter to make another step towards winning the Premier League title this season.

The Paolites approached this match with added caution as they faced a Żebbuġ side brimming with confidence after a stunning victory over Valletta the previous week.

But the dominant Hibs took just over 45 minutes to bring their opponents back down to earth with a bang after scoring four goals without reply to settle the issue mid-way through the contest.

Jorginho, Clayton Failla and Andrew Cohen were undoubtedly the star performers for the winners as their quick attacking play left Rangers gasping for breath. Hibs raced to a deserved victory that lifted them 11 points clear of nearest rivals Birkirkara who face Mosta this afternoon.

Serbian striker Marko Rajic was given the nod from his compatriot and coach Branko Nisevic to fill the void left by Premier League top scorer Luis Edison in the Hibs attack as the Brazilian was serving a one-match ban. That was the only change effected by the league leaders yesterday.

Żebbuġ coach Alfonso Greco, as expected, fielded the same 11 players that featured in the match against Valletta with midfielder Carlo Monti, who has recovered from a back injury, included among the substitutes.

Rangers looked to make a solid start but their hopes were derailed after nine minutes when Hibs took the lead.

Bjorn Kristensen sent a precise throughball towards Jorginho who showed great skill to turn past goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo and deposit the ball into an empty net.

Spurred by this opener Hibs continued to push forward and on 18 minutes Clayton Failla’s stinging drive flashed just wide.

But that was just a temporary reprieved for the startled Żebbuġ as Hibs grabbed a second three minutes later.

In a swift raid, Jackson Lima served Cohen who burst forward to set up the sprinting Failla and the latter hit a fierce drive that gave Bartolo no chance to save.

There was only one team on the pitch and on 29 minutes Hibs added a third goal.

They were awarded a free-kick and Failla’s inviting cross was met by Andrei Agius who sent a dipping header into Bartolo’s net.

The Żebbuġ keeper came to his team rescue on 34 minutes when Jorginho’s backheader freed Cohen who advanced unimpeded but he saw his low shot stopped by the custodian.

However, the Hibs skipper was not to be denied six minutes from the break when Jorginho won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Cohen’s curled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Żebbuġ had a chance to pull one back before half-time when Mauricio Britto retrieved possession on the edge of the area and quickly played in Luke Montebello who had his effort pushed away by goalkeeper Henry Bonello. The ball ended into the path of Thomas Paris whose low drive was again blocked by the Hibs goalkeeper.

Trailing by four goals at half-time, Greco tried to add more pace to his team’s attacking movement when introducing Miguel Ciantar for Britto.

But it was Hibs who continue to pose the bigger threat and on 51 minutes Bartolo had to stretch his arm to keep out Jorginho’s thumping low drive.

Four minutes later, Bonello was alert to palm away Barbetti’s long range shot. Jorginho almost grabbed his second on 57 minutes but his header just missed the upright.

With the points in the Hibs’ bag, Nisevic opted to give some playing time to stand-in goalkeeper Jurgen Borg and young striker Jurgen Degabriele.

The woodwork denied Żebbuġ a consolation goal on 70 minutes when Ciantar chested the ball down inside the area but his volley crash against the upright.

Hibs added a fifth goal on 79 minutes.

The goal came from a misjudgement by goalkeeper Bartolo who mistimed his sortie and in nipped Failla who stole possession before serving Cohen who, completely unmarked, headed into an empty net.

Żebbuġ Rangers
E. Bartolo-4, J. Borg-4, P. Barbetti-5, M. Muchardi-5, Y. Camilleri-5, M. Bartolo-5, R. Yussuf-4, M. Britto-5 (46 M. Ciantar), D. Reano-5, T. Paris-5.5 (85 K. Zammit), L. Montebello-5 (54 C. Monti-5).

Hibernians
H. Bonello-6 (60 J. Borg-5), R. Gracia Gomes-6 (75 K. Tanti), J. Lima-6.5, R. Soares-6, A. Cohen-8, B. Kristensen-7, C. Failla-7, M. Rajic-5 (64 J. Degabriele-6), A. Agius-7, J. Mbong-7, Jorginho-7.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: E. Bartolo, Britto, Camilleri.

BOV Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians).

Standings