Steve Borg was Valletta's hero on Sunday as the City defender headed home the winner to earn the Malta champions a 1-0 win over Floriana at the National Stadium.

Borg connected to Triston Caruana's free-kick to head past Floriana goalkeeper Ini Akpan.

The win enabled Valletta to cut the gap on leaders Floriana to just two points and reignite their aspirations of winning a third successive title.

For Floriana it was a disappointing performance as they struggled to threaten the Valletta defence for much of the match and surely they must regroup ahead of another testing challenge next week when they take on Gżira United.

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It's derby day at the National Stadium on Sunday as Premier League leaders Floriana and Valletta go head-to-head in this weekend's plum fixture. Both teams are desperate for the three points. A win for Floriana would see them move a step closer to a first league title after 27-year-drought while the Malta champions will seek a win that would push them just two points behind the Greens. Stay with us to follow our minute-by-minute report of this highly-anticipated clash.

3.55pm That's it from us. Thank you for staying with us in what was an absorbing clash.

3.53pm Valletta players are in dreamland as they celebrate what could be a crucial victory for their team's title aspirations. Steve Borg's goal after five minutes of play enables Valletta to cut the gap with the Premier League leaders to just two points.

3.52pm FULL TIME Valletta have won it....

3.51pm At the other end, Floriana have an opportunity of their own when they are awarded a free-kick some 30 metres out but Venancio'sshot is pushed away by Bonello.

3.49pm Incredible miss. Valletta should be 2-0 up. Akpan had went into the Valletta box for his team's corner. But Valletta clear and in a quick break Fontanella fails to find the net and in came Malano who seizes possession but he miscues his shot in front of a gaping goal.

3.47pm It will be four minutes of stoppage time. Floriana have a corner.

3.45pm Time is running out for Floriana as Valletta win a free-kick the half-way mark with only three minutes of regular time left.

3.43pm Potenza effects his second change when Matias Garcia is replaced by striker Terence Vella as they look for a late leveller.

3.37pm CHANCE... Valletta have the ball into the Floriana net when Triston Caruana barged himself through but the referee annulled the ‘goal for an infringement by the City midfielder.

3.32pm Alba almost left an instant impact when his low delivery from a free-kick was met by Piciollo with the ball finishing just wide.

3.29pm Concern for Valletta as Bojan Kaljevic is looking likely to be stretchered off after suffering a knee injury. Miguel Alba has come on to replace the Montenegrin forward.

3.27pm Floriana finally responded on 68 minutes when Venancio tried his luck from more than 40 metres out but his piledriver finished well over.

3.25pm Darren Abdilla responded by withdrawing Shaun Dimech and bringing on Santiago Malano as he looked to add more steel to his team’s engine room. 

3.15pm Potenza is clearly unhappy with his team's performance and is set to bring on Jan Busuttil for Brandon Paiber who has not left his mark in this mark.

3.10pm Frustration was clear in the Floriana players with Kristijan Keqi the latest to be booked for protests after he was sanctioned for a foul on Rowen Muscat.

3.05pm Floriana started the second half with more determination and D'Agostino immediately tested Bonello with a low drive that City custodian blocked iin two attempts. At the other end Bojan Kaljevic's long-range shot finished wide.

3.00pm We're back under way.

2.50pm Valletta are may be a goal ahead but Floriana are still in it. We'll be back in 15 minutes so stay with us to see who will come out on top.

2.46pm Floriana with one final assault at the Valletta goal but nothing comes out of it as Venancio's shot is blocked by Steve Borg and the Citizens head to the half-time interval one goal to the good.

2.44pm Two minutes of stoppage time will be played as the first half draws to a close.

2.35pm The match lost much of its intensity as scoring chances are few and far between with Valletta happy to administer their advantage while Floriana are looking short of ideas to threaten the City defence.

2.31pm Close... Valletta threaten again when another delivery from Triston Caruana, this time from a corner, picks Mario Fontanella but the Italian's header finished straight into the hands of goalkeeper Ini Akpan.

2.28pm The first booking of the match goes to Valletta striker Mario Fontanella for a rush challenge on Diego Venancio and seconds later Mario Fontanella was also yellow-carded for another foul on the Brazilian.

2.23pm Chance... Floriana come close when Matias Garcia picks up a short clearance and shoots at goal from the penalty spot but his shot is blocked by Steve Borg.

2.20pm Floriana seem to be struggling to find their feet as apart from Mbeye's effort they have yet to test the Valletta goal after 22 minutes of play.

2.15pm Some concern for Valletta as goalkeeper Henry Bonello remains on the floor after accidental collision with Kristijan Keqi, of Floriana. The Valletta no. 1 is receiving treatment but it looks light he can continue.

2.11pm Here is an image of Steve Borg's opener for Valletta thanks to our photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi.

2.08pm Floriana almost with an instant response. They won a free-kick on the left and Diego Venancio found Stephan Mbeye whose header was pushed away by goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

2.05pm GOAALLLLL... Steve Borg heads in Triston Caruana's free-kick.

2.04pm Valletta have a free-kick down the right channel as Diego Venancio fouled Enmy Pena Beltre....

2pm And we're underway... Take a deep breath as this is going to be intense...

1.55pm The teams are out on the pitch and we're about to start... tension is mounting at either side with both sets of fans in full voice.

1.50pm Floriana suffered a blow just before kick-off as defender Enzo Ruiz pulled out injury of the warm-up and was replaced by Moustapha Mbeye. It will be interesting to see how it will effect their performance as the Argentine was an influential figure for the Premier League leaders this season.

1.45pm Valletta, on their part, have no margin for error as they are already trailing their neighbouring rivals by five points in the standings. But striker Matteo Piciollo told the Times of Malta that they are confident they can deliver the goods as they keep up their chase for a third successive title.

1.42pm In the run-up to the match Times of Malta spoke with Floriana coach Vincenzo Potenza on his team's aspirations for this afternoon's clash.

1.40pm Valletta on their part have welcomed back in the fray goalkeeper Henry Bonello who has recovered from injury and will start in goal. Italian striker Mario Fontanella, who this week extended his contract with the Citizens, is also back in the fray after being rested for the FA Trophy win over Sirens last Sunday.

1.37pm The line-ups are out. Floriana coach Vincenzo Potenza has made one enforced change to the team that beat Birkirkara as new signing Stefano D'Agostino was included in the starting formation at the expense of the suspended Tiago Fonseca.

1.35pm Welcome to our transfer blog of this top-of-the-table clash between Valletta and Floriana. The National Stasdium is slowly filling up and hopefully we will have one of the biggest crowds of the season.