FLORIANA-1

HIBS-3

Scottish striker Paul McManus scored a first-half double on his debut as Hibs opened their 2010/11 Premier League campaign with a straightforward 3-1 victory over Floriana at the National Stadium.

McManus had spurned a great chance to put Hibs ahead on 11 minutes. Andrew Cohen's cross from a free-kick caused confusion in Floriana's defence as the ball was deflected towards the far post but the unguarded McManus headed over the bar.

Nine minutes later, McManus atoned for his miss as he beat Floriana goalkeeper Lofti Said with an excellent lob after receiving a through-ball from Cohen.

The score soon became 2-0 for Hibs, McManus stroking the ball home from close range after Said had partially saved Triston Caruana's strike from inside the box.

Despite having several new signings in their formation, Floriana struggled to find some kind of fluency in the first half. After their two-goal flurry midway into the first half, Hibs stayed in control.

They could have increased their lead in the dying stages of the first half but Edward Herrera's well-hit volley from the edge of the area brought a fine save from Saidi.

Floriana should have revived their hopes when, five minutes into the second half, Ivan Woods released Ryan Darmanin in the box but the latter's effort hit the post.

The Greens paid dearly for this miss as, four minutes later, Hibs made it 3-0. Cohen again had a hand in the goal as his cross from a free-kick was only partially cleared by the Floriana defence and Caruana pounced to fire a strong shot through a clutch of players and into the bottom-left corner.

Three goals down, Floriana looked down and out.

They were unlucky not to reduce the deficit when substitute Joseph Borg's rising shot came off the crossbar. Woods then fired wide after receiving from Christian Cassar. With 15 minutes left, McManus was denied a hat-trick by Saidi who deflected the Hibs forward's strong drive away for a corner.

Floriana had to wait until two minutes from full time to grab a consolation goal. Darmanin hit home from close range after Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper, had parried away an effort by Michael Mecerod, a second-half substitute for Floriana.

The lively American forward then squeezed in a strong shot from outside the area but Muscat was equal to the task.