Hibernians beat Naxxar to go top, Tarxien and Żabbar take a point apiece

Hibernians moved one point clear at the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier when they eased past Naxxar Lions 2-0.

Goals from Cleiton and Lucas Villela earned the Paolites three crucial points that lifted them to the top of the standings on 11 points, one clear of Floriana.

Hibernians took less than a minute to take the lead when the prolific forward Cleiton immediately left his mark.

Bjorn Kristensen’s long pass picked the pacey Brazilian who shrugged off his marker and chipped the ball over the onrushing Matthias Debono and into the net.

The goal ensured Hibernians remained on top and on 24 minutes, Lucas Villela was put through on goal by Dexter Xuereb, but the forward fired wide of Debono.

With the one goal to the good, the Paolites were happy to administer their advantage, with the result that they rarely threatened Naxxar’s goal.

The Lions did show signs of improvement after the break, but they lack the much-needed cutting edge in front of their opponents’ goal.

Instead, it was Hibs who added a second goal when Villela ran in space and, after avoiding his marker, he planted the ball past Debono.

Żabbar St Patrick are still in search of their first league win of the season when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tarxien Rainbows.

The Saints looked on their way to take all three points when Pedro Santiago Cejas fired them ahead on 27 minutes.

But Tarxien refused to lie down and managed to take a point when they grabbed the equaliser eight minutes from time through Kwasi Donsu.