Hibernians 1
Camilleri 28
Valletta 2
Scerri 14, 23
Terrence Scerri was the scourge of Hibs, his former club, yesterday as the prolific striker hit a first-half brace to help Valletta achieve an important win over the champions who are now nine points off the pace.
It was another polished performance from the Citizens who quickly asserted their superiority with a quick double inside the opening 30 minutes.
Although Hibernians managed to give themselves a lifeline with a Ben Camilleri goal, the Citizens never looked in danger of forfeiting their lead. The second half was somewhat scrappy but Valletta stayed in control to rejoin Birkirkara at the top after the latter had seen off Qormi in yesterday's early kick-off.
Valletta coach Ton Caanen effected two changes from the team that crushed Tarxien 6-2 last week. Captain Gilbert Agius pulled out of the squad after falling ill while winger Kevin Sammut started on the bench.
Cameroonian winger Doding Priso was restored to the starting formation after missing the last two matches through suspension while Irish forward Declan O'Brien was rewarded for his scoring exploits of late with a place in the initial XI.
Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, also made two alterations from the team that beat Qormi 1-0 as defender Aaron Xuereb and winger Yan Cauchi were replaced by Jonathan Pearson and Ben Camilleri.
Valletta made a blistering start, coming close to taking the lead inside the opening minute. Priso evaded his marker with some delightful footwork before sending a teasing cross towards O'Brien whose central shot from close in was kept out by goalkeeper Mario Muscat.
Two minutes later, Muscat was again alert to keep out Priso's shot.
The stalemate was broken on 14 minutes when Steve Bezzina darted clear on the left before putting in a low cross into the path of Scerri who rifled the ball past Muscat.
Hibs' response was immediate. Two minutes later, Etienne Barbara's cross sailed towards Miguel Lopes De Pina who headed just wide.
However, Valletta soon regained the initiative and on 23 minutes they doubled their lead. Roderick Briffa did well to create space for himself in the area before squaring to Scerri who fired home.
Hibs raised their efforts to get back into the match. On 25 minutes, Elton Morelato let fly a stinging drive that forced Hogg to stretch backward and tip the ball away for a corner. From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by Andrew Cohen, Lopes Da Pina was first to the ball but headed just wide.
The Paolites narrowed the deficit on 27 minutes when, from another Cohen corner, Morelato's shot on the turn was poked home by Camilleri.
On 33 minutes, a good passing move by Valletta ended with Briffa hitting a central drive that was easily saved by Muscat.
Camilleri's goal boosted Hibs' confidence as Mark Miller's men pushed forward with Valletta defending en masse.
The Citizens could have restored their two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time when Scerri's cross caused mayhem in the Hibs area but Pace miscued his shot.
Three minutes into the second half, the woodwork denied the Citizens a third goal. Pace forced his way into the area before teeing up O'Brien whose shot on the turn hit the upright with Muscat beaten.
On 56 minutes, the Hibs goalkeeper almost gifted Valletta a goal when he charged out of the box to control a long through-ball but only succeeded in giving away possession. The ball fell to Scerri whose attempt was cleared by Pearson.
The match remained evenly-poised and it was no surprise when, with 20 minutes remaining, Caanen sent on defensive midfielder Edmond Agius instead of the tiring Jordi Cruyff.
Hibs' hopes of salvaging a point were all but ended five minutes from time when Lopes De Pina was shown a straight red card for raising his elbow at Luke Dimech.
In the dying moments, the Paolites won a series of free-kicks and Muscat ran upfield to help his team-mates' attacking charge. But Valletta refused to wilt with Hogg blocking Cohen's set-piece cross before referee Chris Lautier blew the final whistle.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, J. Caruana-6.5, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis-6, J. Pearson-6.5, C. Callejas-5.5, E. Barbara-6 ('82 T. Caruana), A. Cohen-6, M. Lopes De Pina, B. Camilleri-6.5, E. Morelato-6.
Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, S. Borg-6, S. Bezzina-6.5, L. Dimech-7, K. Scicluna-6.5, J. Pace-6.5, J. Cruyff-6.5 ('71 E. Agius), T. Scerri-8, R. Briffa-6.5 ('60 K. Sammut-5.5), P. Doding-6.5, D. O'Brien-6.5 ('81 D. Falzon).
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow cards: Hogg; Callejas; Cohen; Borg; Pulis; Priso; Morelato; Agius; Scerri.
Red card: Lopes de Pina (H) 85.
BOV player of the match: Terrence Scerri (Valletta).