Terrence Scerri's fifth goal in three matches extended Valletta's perfect start to the season after the Citizens edged Sliema Wanderers 1-0 on Friday.
The match between Valletta and Sliema, two of the early favourites for the title, was the first since the Premier League was temporarily suspended late last month to give the Malta FA and the clubs time to adjust to the changes brought about by the demotion of Vittoriosa Stars and Marsaxlokk for match-fixing.
Friday's eagerly-awaited game failed to live up to expectations but Scerri earned Valletta a deserved victory with a well-hit shot after being put through by captain Gilbert Agius who was voted BOV player of the match.
Qormi also maintained their unbeaten start with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Msida St Joseph on Saturday. Msida were making their debut this season after replacing Vittoriosa in the Premier League.
Their hopes of marking their return to the top flight with a positive result were shattered by Qormi and their Brazilian striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo who capped an excellent performance with a terrific hat-trick.
In Saturday's second match, Birkirkara had to fight harder than expected to see off the challenge of Ħamrun Spartans, who like Msida, were playing their first match in this season's Premier League after stepping in for Marsaxlokk.
Birkirkara forged ahead after eight minutes when Dutch forward Sylvano Comvalius's lucky deflection off a headed clearance from Martin Hrubsa sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The Spartans got back on level terms when Marcelo Pereira poked the ball home after Jorge Mora, Birkirkara's goalkeeper, parried Gaetan Spiteri's effort, but Birkirkara regained the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Comvalius, who was facing his former team, released George Mallia with a through-pass and the Birkirkara midfielder slotted home.
On Sunday, Hibs needed a late own goal from Renato Conceicao to tame Dingli Swallows. The Premier League newcomers went ahead with a fine goal from Joseph Okonkwo on 34 minutes but Jonathan Caruana equalised for the champions when touching Andrew Cohen's free-kick past Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia. The Paolites' winner came six minutes from time when Conceicao, under pressure from Latvian debutant Olegs Malasenoks, guided the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear Edward Herrera's cross.
In Sunday's opening match, Floriana and Tarxien Rainbows had to settle for a point each after a 1-1 draw. Sunday Wasiu gave Floriana a 36th-minute lead but their hopes of a first victory were scuppered by Gianluca Calabretta who equalised for Tarxien 10 minutes into the second half.
Statistics
Scorers
Birkirkara: Comvalius 2, Mallia 2; Galea.
Dingli Swallows: Okonkwo 2 (1 pen).
Floriana: Anonam, Wasiu.
Ħamrun Spartans: Pereira. Red card: Micallef (vs Birkirkara).
Hibernians: J. Caruana; Own goal - Conceicao (vs Dingli).
Qormi: Camilo 4; Chetcuti.
Tarxien Rainbows: Ribeiro 2; Denni, Shead, Calabretta. Red card: Ribeiro (vs Dingli).
Valletta: Scerri 5; Priso 2 (1 pen); Cruyff, Den Ouden, Zammit.
Next Fixtures
National Stadium
Tomorrow: 18.00 Sliema Wanderers vs Msida St Joseph; 20.00 Hibernians vs Ħamrun Spartans.
Friday: 19.30 Dingli Swallows vs Birkirkara.
Saturday: 16.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Sliema; 18.00 Valletta vs Msida.
Sunday: 16.00 Ħamrun vs Floriana; 18.00 Qormi vs Hibs.