Watch: Floriana send title statement with commanding win over Hibernians

Floriana laid down another title statement when they secured a crucial 1-0 win over Hibernians that consolidates their spot at the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier League.

Moustapha Jah turned out to be the match-winner for Floriana with a fine finish that lifted the Greens four points clear of the top, with second-placed Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans in action tomorrow.

It was a deserved victory for the Greens, who were in control right from the outset and after they surged ahead, there was no way back for the Paolites, who simply did not have the quality to challenge Floriana on the day.

This was a vital win for Daniel Portela, who can now head to the international break with a big smile on his face as he can prepare their next crucial fixtures against Birkirkara, Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers in a positive frame of mind.

Floriana were off to a fast start and they should have taken the lead on 14 minutes when Joao Teixeira found Mattija Veselji in space, but the young forward fired wide with only Hugo Sacco to beat.

That was the prelude of what was to come, as a minute later Federico Varela chipped the ball into the path of Moustapha Jah, who held off his marker and fired the ball past Sacco.

More woes followed for Hibs as two minutes later as Jah turned past his marker but was then upended by Bjorn Kristensen, with the referee pointing to the spot.

But from the spot, Jah saw his effort brilliantly saved by Sacco.

Hibernians tried to lift themselves after this challenging start, but things didn’t improve for coach Branko Nisevic, as the Serbian coach, who already had to do without eight players for this match, lost central defender Charleston and roped in Aiden Zammit.

From then on, the match lost much of its intensity as scoring chances dried up, with both sets of players guilty of some robust challenges.

Four minutes from the break, Floriana were almost handed a second goal when Sacco failed to collect a cross and Texeira’s shot was blocked by a defender.

After the break, one expected Hibernians to come out stronger, but it was Floriana who came close to double their lead when, on 58 minutes, Varela picked Jah inside the area and the towering striker fired wide from a few metres out.

Then it was the turn of Veselji to come close, but his shot from the edge of the area flashed past the upright.

 Fifteen minutes from time, Hibs finally threatened when Villela burst inside the area and his cross-shot was not turned home by Cleiton in front of a gaping goal.

The Paolites tried to mount a late fightback but they lacked any kind of creativity as the Greens held on to a crucial victory.