Valletta came out on top of a spirited battle with Hibernians to take three points and move second in the premier league behind Floriana.
In front of a packed Tony Bezzina Stadium, Valletta were a goal up inside two minutes. Hibs failed to clear their penalty area and Mbende found space to head past Cardinali.
Hibs players and coach Tugberk Tanrivermis claimed there was a handball which sent referee Daniel Portelli to the tv monitor. He waved away the Hibs appeals while assistant coach Andre Agius got a yellow card for his trouble.
Valletta were content to defend their lead allowing Hibs to press forward. N’zi went close but was offside, then Shaw tried a long range drive that sailed high over the bar.
Hibs were getting free kicks in dangerous positions but were not making the most of those chances.
Sammit, always lively, forced a fingertip save from Cardinali.
Valletta showed that they could create chances of their own and late in the half thought they had doubled their lead. Bicakcic had the ball in the net but a video review by the ref ruled a Valletta player was offside..that did not go down well with the City bench and supporters.
Just before the break Hibs launched another attack which ended with Sobczyk colliding with City’s keeper Aguero. The Hibs player needed a lengthy treatment and eventually had to be taken away by ambulance.
Straight from the restart, Valletta went in search of a second goal with Sekolovic bringing a finger tip save from Cardinali.
Formosa then tried his luck from a distance out, his shot just going wide.
Mbong then produced a strong run down the right and his cross was met by Kristensen. Somehow Aguero got a hand to it…tremendous save that to deny Hibs.
It got a bit spikey after the water break as a free for all broke out between Hibs and City benches and players from both teams. The officials eventually got everybody calmed down and play could resume…passions running high as the clock ticked down.
Valletta settled the match when Paiber turned and fired past Cardinali to spark massive celebrations in the stands.
A hard fought win for Valletta while Hibernians will rue the chances missed. How they need an in-form striker.
