TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0
VALLETTA 7
Kaljevic 4, 56 pen.
Fontanella 13, 41, 86
Picciolo 25
Saleh 34
Valletta went one point clear at the top of the Premier League standings when they hammered Tarxien Rainbows at the Centenary Stadium.
The Malta champions pressed on the accelerator right from the outset and after four minutes Matteo Picciolo served Mario Fontanella whose shot just missed the target.
However, that was a temporary reprieve for Tarixen as Valletta struck a minute later. Steve Borg’s long pass was chested down by Kaljevic who turned past his marker and fired home.
On ten minutes, Andrea Cassar had to be at his best to turn to a corner Raed Saleh’s shot while two mintues later the Tarxien no.1 did well to deny Kaljevic from close in.
Valletta netted a second on 13 minutes when Daniel Zerafa failed to clear the ball away and Mario Fontanella fired home with an overhead kick.
It was one-way traffic now and on 20 minutes Malano fed Picciolo who fired just over.
Valletta added a third goal on 25 minutes when Saleh picked up the ball on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Picciolo who hammered home.
Tarxien finally threatened on 29 minutes when Paolucci’s shot was blocked by Bonello.
But Valletta soon continued where they left off as on 32 minutes Cassar showed great reflexes to keep out Saleh’s shot.
However, the Oman midfielder was not to be denied as two minutes later he slalomed past two defenders to blast the ball into the net.
More woes followed for Tarxien as four minutes from the break, Fontanella pounced on some hesitant defending from the Rainbows defenders to curl home his team’s fifth goal.
Three minutes into the second half, Picciolo released Fontanella who was denied by Cassar.
On 56 minutes, Doncic withdrew Steve Borg and roped in Tunisian Zied Soussi who was making his league debut for the Citizens.
Two minutes later, Saleh was upended in the area by Andre Scicluna and Kaljevic made no mistake from the spot.
On 70 minutes, Cassar again showed great reflexes when he pushed away Picciolo’s curling drive from a free-kick.
Valletta completed the rout four minutes from time when Fontanella hit home Zied Soussi's cross to wrap up his hat-trick.
Valletta striker Matteo Picciolo was the BOV Player of the match.