Birkirkara sent a clear warning of their title intent when they eased past Tarxien Rainbows 5-0 at the Hibs Stadium to go top of the BOV Premier League standings, level on points with Valletta.

It was a masterful display from the Stripes who were all over their opponents right from the outset.

In fact it was Birkirkara who drew first blood on 33 minutes when Orosco Anonam upended Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Mifsud Triganza saw his shot pushed away by Cassar and from the rebound Paul Fenech fired the ball home.

On the restart Birkirkara kept up their dominance and they managed to add a second goal on 55 minutes when Shola Haruna Shodiya picked up possession on the edge of the area and unleashed a low drive that gave no chance to Cassar.

The Stripes struck again two minutes later when from a Ryan Camenzuli free-kick Nikola Vukanac was on hand to head the ball into the net.

More woes followed for Tarxien as on 65 minutes Haruna Shodiya struck again with another thumping drive that gave no chance to Cassar.

Birkirkara had time to add a fifth goal 11 minutes from time when Mifsud Triganza released Herrera who fired past Cassar to the delight of the Birkirkara fans.

Birkirkara's Shola Haruna Shodiya was voted as the BOV Player of the match.