Hibs’ Jackson Lima (left) puts pressure on Haruna Babangida. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Mosta 0
Hibernians 5
Jorginho 24, 87; Farrugia 39; De Milo Lima 44; Degabriele 82;

The message from Hibernians was loud and clear as the heat was on the leaders to recapture their winning touch after unexpectedly dropping two points against Naxxar Lions.

On paper, Hibs’ task looked straightforward but they ought to have been wary about facing Mosta after their 1-1 draw against the same opponents in the last round. But yesterday, the Paolites were driven by the desire to show that they were capable not only of handling the pressure but also to return to their early-season eye-catching scoring exploits.

Jorginho’s opener set the tone for this one-sided encounter as one of the most influential players in Hibs’ title march this season, Andrew Cohen, was again the catalyst of this success with a man-of-the-match display despite not putting his name on the scoresheet.

His running, together with the clever movement and passing, reduced Mosta to chasing shadows.

The only change in Mosta’s starting line-up was enforced upon coach Peter Smith with winger Michael Dawood replacing Gary Roberts, injured.

Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic restored Andrei Agius to the starting XI after the defender served a one-match ban.

Also making a return for the Paolites was Luis de Melo Lima who got the green light to start ahead of Marko Rajic who was not even among the substitutes.

Nisevic settled on 3-5-2 with De Melo Lima partnering Jorginho in attack and Clayton Failla and Jean Paul Farrugia patrolling the wings.

With Ian Zammit moving well in midfield and a mobile front trio of Haruna Babangida, Udo Fortune and Dawood interchanging and running at the Hibs goal, Mosta will have fancied their chances of springing an upset in the early stages of this encounter.

But their momentum was jolted on 24 minutes when Jorginho produced a moment of magic. From just outside the box, he unleashed a screamer off the inside of his right boot that swerved past Omar Borg and into the top corner to put the Paolites ahead.

Hibs’ performance early on was unspectacular but very efficient as they made the most of the chances coming their way.

Yet, past the half hour mark, Hibs underlined the attacking threat posed by their front personnel as Bjorn Kristensen threaded an excellent through-ball to Jorginho who burst past Tyrone Farrugia and Mark Brincat but his shot flew over the bar.

On 39 minutes, a typical surging run by Failla wreaked havoc inside the Mosta defence as he raced past Ousman Koli. His cross reached Farrugia who chested the ball before unleashing a firm drive that had the better of Borg.

Hibernians went 3-0 up just before half-time.

Another powerful run by Failla unsettled the Mosta defence as the ball was diverted to Rodolfo Soares who headed back to De Melo Lima to push his shot into an empty net.

The exchanges became more balanced in the second half but Hibernians clearly possessed more attacking ammunition than Mosta.

The league leaders would have scored their fourth goal but for a fine intervention by goalkeeper Borg who warded off Jorginho’s shot past the hour mark.

An indirect free-kick, awarded to Mosta for a back-pass infringement, proved futile as Hibs were quick to break on the counter-attack.

The stunned Mosta were caught napping at the back as Hibs’ quick transition saw Cohen guide an inviting pass to Jorginho but he was foiled by the timely intervention of Borg, who dashed out to block the rebound on Farrugia.

Ten minutes from time, Failla’s shot was tipped over the bar by Borg. The gaping holes between defence and midfield were again exploited by Hibernians as Cohen passed to the unmarked Jurgen Degabriele who sidefooted past Borg.

The goal feast continued three minutes from time.

This time Degabriele turned provider with a defence-splitting pass that allowed Jorginho to hit home with a superb shot.

Mosta
O. Borg-5, T. Farrugia-5, M. Brincat-5, K. Magro-6 (85 K. Frendo), D. Falzon-5, O. Koli-5, H. Babangida-4.5, I. Zammit-5, R. Grech-5 (68 Z. Brincat), M. Dawood-5 (45 J. Brincat-5), U. Fortune-5.

Hibernians
H. Bonello-6, R. Soares-6 (68 J. Pearson-5), R. Da Gracia Gomes-6, J.P. Farrugia-6.5 (78 M. Dias), A. Cohen-7.5, B. Kristensen-6, A. Agius-6, C. Failla-6.5, L. De Milo Lima-6 (74 J. Degabriele-6), Jorginho-7, Jackson Lima-6.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow card: Bonello.

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

Attendance: 883.