Hibernians returned to winning ways with an emphatic win over Mosta as Jorginho’s well-taken opener after 24 minutes set the tone for this one-sided encounter.
With Ian Zammit commanding midfield and their mobile front trio of Haruana Babangida, Udo Fortune and Dawood constantly interchanging and running at Hibernians, Mosta earlier on, will have fancied their chances of springing an upset.
But their momentum was jolted on 24 minutes when Jorginho produced a moment of magic. From just outside the box, he unleashed a screamer off the inside of his right boot that swerved past Omar Borg into the near top corner to put the leaders ahead.
Hibernians’ performance early on was unspectacular but very efficient as they made the most of the chances coming their way. Yet, past the half hour mark, Hibs underlined the attacking threat posed by their front personnel as Bjorn Kristensen threaded an excellent through-ball to Jorginho who burst through Tyrone Farrugia and Mark Brincat but his shot flew over the bar.
On 39 minutes, a typical surging run by Failla wreaked havoc in the Mosta defence as the winger raced past Ousman Koli before delivering a cross. The ball reached Farrugia who chested the ball before unleashing a firm drive that had the better of Borg.
Hibernians went 3-0 up just before half-time. Another powerful run by Failla unsettled the Mosta defence as the ball was diverted to Rodolfo Soares who headed the ball back to de Melo Lima to push the ball into an empty net.
The exchanges became more balanced in the second half but Hibernians clearly possessed more attacking ammunition than Mosta.
Hibernians would have scored their fourth but for a fine intervention by Mosta goalkeeper Borg who warded off Jorginho’s shot past the hour mark.
Ten minutes from time, Failla’s shot was tipped over the bar by Borg. The gaping holes between defence and midfield were again exploited by Hibernians as Cohen passed to the unmarked Jurgen Degarbriele who sidefooted past Borg.
The deluge of goals continued three minutes from time as Degarbriele turned provider with a defence splitting pass that allowed Jorginho to hit home with a superb shot.