Four teams are still unbeaten after three Premier League matches but Hibs stayed top of the table after their 1-1 draw with champions Valletta on Monday. Valletta, Sliema Wanderers and Floriana are the other undefeated sides but they have two points fewer than the Paolites.
Mark Miller began his reign as Hibs coach on a heartening note as his team held the Citizens to a one-all draw.
Terrence Scerri put Hibs ahead six minutes from the end of the first half with a deft flick but Valletta restored parity on the stroke of half-time thanks to a penalty from Cameroon forward Doding Priso.
In stoppage time, Hibs were reduced to ten men after their Cameroon midfielder Alexis Mbongo was dismissed for two yellow cards.
Hibs now have seven points, one more than Birkirkara who bounced back from their 1-0 upset to Floriana with a 2-0 win over Msida St Joseph, courtesy of goals from George Mallia and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
The first Old Firm clash of the season was a dreary affair as Sliema and Floriana played out a goalless draw.
On Sunday, Marsaxlokk looked down and out after Gaetan Spiteri gave the beleaguered Ħamrun Spartans a 2-0 lead by the 19th minute but the Blues staged a remarkable fightback to turn the match around.
Malcolm Licari converted a penalty and Brian Said scored late in the first half to put Marsaxlokk back on level terms.
Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira fired Marsaxlokk ahead for the first time in the match a minute into the second half and Claude Mattocks capped the comeback with a 72nd minute goal for a 4-2 win.
Sunday's battle of the newcomers went Qormi's way. Ivan Da Silva and Alfred Effiong were on target between the 27th and 31st minutes to give Qormi a 2-0 lead against Tarxien Rainbows whose hopes of gaining their first points had been dealt a severe blow when Ivan Carapic was sent off after 29 minutes.
Joseph Farrugia secured Qormi the three points when scoring their third goal 18 minutes from time as Tarxien finished the match with nine men after Andrew Decesare was given a straight red card for a lunging tackle on Massimo Grima.
Premier League statistics
Scorers, red cards
Birkirkara: Mallia 2; Tabone (pen), Galea, Mifsud Triganza.
Floriana: Madzar. Red card - Bugeja (vs Ħamrun).
Ħamrun: Spiteri 2. Red card - Spiteri (vs Floriana).
Hibernians: Scerri 4; Galabov 2, Failla 2; Caruana. Red card - Mbongo (vs Valletta).
Marsaxlokk: Alcorse, Licari (pen), Said, Pereira, Mattocks.
Msida: Calcado (pen), Aurelio.
Qormi: Da Silva 2, Effiong 2; Farrugia. Red card - Chetcuti (vs Hibernians).
Sliema: Woods 2 (1 pen); Bajada. Red card - Bjedov (vs Ħamrun).
Tarxien: Chircop. Red cards - Carapic, Decesare (vs Qormi).
Valletta: Priso 2 (1 pen); Tolomeotti, G. Agius.
Next fixtures (all National Stadium)
Friday: 7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Marsaxlokk
Saturday: 4 p.m.Qormi vs Birkirkara; 6 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Hibernians.
Sunday: 4 p.m. Msida St Joseph vs Floriana; 6 p.m. Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows.