Hibernians are the new leaders of the BOV Premier League as an Andrew Cohen goal enabled them to overcome Tarxien Rainbows 1-0 at the National Stadium.
Hibs seemed to settle more early on and on 12 minutes Marcelo Dias sped past his marker before hitting a rasping low drive that just whizzed past the upright.
Two minutes later, Lima powered his way into the area but was blocked by the onrushing Andrea Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper.
Hibs broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when Dias made all the damage when he sprinted past Timothy Tabone Desira before sending a low pass into the path of Jorginho whose cheeky dummy put Andrew Cohen in ample space and the Hibs skipper let fly a powerful drive that gave no chance to goalkeeper Cassar.
On 28 minutes Tarxien protested for a penalty when Carlos Hevia fell down after a challenge by Rui De Gracia Gomes but referee Esther Azzopardi saw nothing untoward and waved play on amid the protests of the Spaniard who was subsequently booked.
Instead it was Hibs who almost doubled their lead five minutes from the break when Jorginho picked Jorge inside the area but the Brazilian’s downward header flashed wide.
Tarxien finally threatened on 43 minutes when Hevia stormed into the area to pick Triston Caruana’s pass but he was thwarted by the onrushing Briffa.
Five minutes into the second half, Hibs should have killed off their opponents when Cohen put Jorge clear but the Brazilian striker saw his low drive coming off the bar before Tabone Desira cleared.
Nine minutes from time, Hibs had another good opportunity to seal the three points when Jorge forced his way into the area before pulling the ball back towards Gilmar whose stinging drive was somehow kept out by Cassar.
Hibs skipper Andrew Cohen was voted as the BOV Player of the match.