Watch: Hibernians survive scare to see off neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows

Hibernians survived a scare before seeing off neighbouring rivals Tarxien Rainbows and maintain top spot in the YoHealth Malta Premier League.

It was far from a routine victory for the Paolites who had to contend with the Rainbows’ second-half fightback and could consider themselves lucky not to have dropped any points from the match.

Forward Lucas Villela was again the main difference between the two sides as his prolific form in front of goal earned his team the three points when netting two crucial goals that sealed a 3-1 win.

On the other hand, Tarxien will be gutted to lose the derby after their battling display in the second half, but surely they cannot afford lapses in concentration in defence if they are to pick up points consistently.

Tarxien came close to stunning their more-quoted opponents inside the first ten minutes of play when, from a throw-in, the ball fell into the path of Obuhu Ifeh, who hit a thumping volley, with the ball hitting the ball with Hibs goalkeeper Hugo Sacco well beaten.

But after surviving that scare, the Paolites clicked into gear and managed to take the lead in their first real attacking foray after 17 minutes.

Their prolific goalscorer, Cleiton, was put through on goal, and the Brazilian kept his composure to direct the ball past the onrushing Tarxien goalkeeper, Andrea Cassar

Hibernians suffered a blow on 24 minutes as they lost defender Mattias Ellus to injury, and he was replaced by Pedrao.

Wallison came to Tarxien’s rescue minutes later when he was alert to clear off the line Villela’s flick from close in after the Rainbows failed to clear the ball from a corner action.

Two minutes from the break, Lucas Villela showed great footwork to bamboozle his marker, but the Spanish forward then fired over with only Cassar to beat.

Villela soon made amends a minute into stoppage time when the Spanish forward latched onto a fine cross from Duane Bonnici to head the ball past Cassar.

Any thoughts that Villella’s second goal had killed Tarxien’s hopes were thrown out of the window two minutes into the second half when the ball fell to Kwasi Donsu who hit a thumping drive that flew past Sacco.

Hibs looked in disarray, and two minutes later, Sacco’s poor delivery from a goal kick was intercepted by Octavio, but his first-time shot flew wide to the relief of the Paolites’ goalkeeper.

The Paolites tried to fight back and on the hour mark, Villela threatened with a thumping drive that flew just wide.

Sacco angered his team-mates on 63 minutes as the goalkeeper miscontrolled the ball on the edge of the area and was dispossessed by Ibeh.

The Rainbows’ forward sped inside the area and fed Francisco Conceicao Santos, whose shot was blocked by Silas.