PAOLA, Malta (Interstat) — Hibernians scored twice after conceding first and beat Gzira 2-1 in a Maltese Premier League match Thursday at Tony Bezzina Stadium. Gzira took the lead through Luisinho in the 28th minute, but Hibernians answered with two goals, including Isaiah Chukunyere’s 85th-minute strike. The result moved Hibernians to three wins, three losses and four draws in the competition, while Gzira remained without a win at five losses and four draws. Both teams hold the same records across all competitions. The game turned after Gzira’s Joao Teixeira was sent off in the 58th minute.

Luisinho gave Gzira the early advantage when he scored in the 28th minute. He played 75 minutes and was also shown a yellow card in the 83rd minute before being substituted in the 84th. Gzira’s defensive work was disrupted by the red card to Joao Teixeira in the 58th minute, leaving the visitors to protect a one-goal lead with 10 men for more than half an hour. Hibernians pressed for an equalizer and eventually found the goals needed to complete the comeback. Chukunyere, who played 21 minutes, scored the late goal that helped seal the home win.

Hibernians’ Matos was booked in the 36th minute, and Gzira’s Mentz received a yellow card in the 38th. Hibernians picked up another yellow card in the 70th, Luisinho was booked in the 83rd and Hibernians received a yellow card in the 87th. The match included a series of substitutions, beginning with Gzira’s Xuereb D. in the 15th minute. Gzira also brought on Borg B. at the start of the second half, while Hibernians made a halftime change with Ellul M. Hibernians later used substitutions for Xuereb D. and Roe J. in the 69th, Matos in the 73rd and El Fanis M. in the 83rd. Gzira replaced Luisinho in the 84th and Borg A. in the 88th.

Chukunyere’s goal came in the 85th minute, shortly after Luisinho had been booked and then removed. Hibernians finished with two goals while Gzira had one. The home side’s record in the competition now stands at three wins, three losses and four draws. Gzira’s competition record is now zero wins, five losses and four draws. Across all competitions, Hibernians also stand at three wins, three losses and four draws, and Gzira stand at zero wins, five losses and four draws. Hibernians had entered the match looking to build on recent form, while Gzira were seeking a first win of the season.

Gzira’s Luisinho was the most prominent performer in the listed key performances, with one goal and a yellow card in 75 minutes. Chukunyere was next, scoring once in 21 minutes for Hibernians. The scoring sequence began with Luisinho’s 28th-minute goal and concluded with Chukunyere’s 85th-minute goal. The red card to Joao Teixeira in the 58th minute was a major moment in the match, as Gzira had to adjust their shape and defend with 10 men. Hibernians took advantage and completed the comeback at Tony Bezzina Stadium in Paola. The victory gave Hibernians their third win of the competition season. Gzira’s winless run in the competition continued.

Gzira’s previous matches this season included draws with Hamrun, Mosta, Sliema and Zabbar, along with losses to Floriana, Balzan, Valletta and Birkirkara. Hibernians had beaten Birzebbuga and Sliema, drawn with Hamrun, Birkirkara and Zabbar, and lost to Floriana, Valletta and Marsaxlokk. Gzira next hosts Birzebbuga, while Hibernians visit Mosta. The match at Tony Bezzina Stadium drew attention for the sending off and the late finish.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected Hibernians 2, Gzira 0. Its ELO system had projected Hibernians with a 92.4 percent probability to win. Hibernians had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.