Valletta had to fight harder than expected to beat Balzan Youths who were reduced to 10 men after only 24 minutes.
Despite dominating for long stretches, the champions could not find a way past their battling opponents before late goals from Roderick Briffa and Alfred Effiong gave them a 2-0 win that takes them two points clear of Hibs at the top, although the latter have a game in hand.
Valletta threatened to take a sixth minute lead when William Barbosa received an inviting ball inside the box but the Brazilian blasted over with only Matthew Camilleri to beat.
On 15 minutes, the champions missed a great chance to go ahead when Barbosa’s pass from the left reached Edmond Agius but the latter’s first-time strike from inside the box was deflected away for a corner by Renie Forace.
The Citizens enjoyed an edge, possession-wise, but they lacked the flair and bit to trouble Balzan. The latter suffered an unexpected setback on 24 minutes when Clifton Ciantar was sent off, harshly in the eyes of many, for a late tackle on Jonathan Caruana.
The onus was on Valletta to step up their efforts and make their numerical advantage but Balzan stayed compact. Gilbert Agius’s dipping cross from midfield flew towards Barbosa who headed over.
Five minutes from half-time, Camilleri saved a long-range drive from Roderick Briffa.
Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa made a double substitution at the start of the second half. Ryan Fenech and Alfred Effiong came on for Jamie Pace and Barbosa.
Six minutes into the second half, Balzan missed an excellent chance to move ahead when David Fenech surged clear on the left and passed to Miguel Ciantar who hit over from an inviting position.
The Citizens came even close as Denni supplied a fine cross from the right, touched the ball back for Gilbert Agius whose well-hit strike cannoned off the far post.
A minute past the hour mark, Camilleri palmed Mifsud’s header over the bar following a cross from Denni.
Edmond Agius hit wide after Valletta had broken on the counter. Midway into the second half, Camilleri denied the Citizens again when pawing away Fenech’s swerving free-kick.
Renie Forace then repelled Edmond Agius’s effort as Valletta increased their pressure. Camilleri had to rush out of goal to block Effiong’s run but 14 minutes from time Valletta finally forged ahead when Briffa’s low shot beat Camilleri at his near post after taking a deflection off Nikola Tasic.
In a rare Balzan attack, Kris Bright curled his shot wide of Andrew Hogg’s goal. At the other end, Effiong headed over from Edmond Agius’s cross but the Nigerian wrapped up Valletta’s win with a point-blank shot after Balzan had partially cleared Dyson Falzon’s shot.
Balzan striker Kris Bright was named BOV player of the match.