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Played
September 2, 2012 8:30 PM IST
St. Mary's Stadium — Southampton, Hampshire
Referee: M. Dean
Attendance: 31609
September 2, 2012 8:30 PM IST
St. Mary's Stadium — Southampton, Hampshire
Referee: M. Dean
Attendance: 31609
16′
Rickie Lambert
Top of the Match
Robin van Persie
Manchester United
Manchester United
Robin van Persie
Manchester United
Manchester United
Flop of the Match
Rafael
Manchester United
Manchester United
Shinji Kagawa
Manchester United
Manchester United
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Southampton 2-3 Manchester United: Van Persie hat-trick seals dramatic late comeback victory
The newly promoted side succumbed to a late fightback from the visitors in heartbreaking fashion in a game that, on the whole, they had dominated, having twice been ahead
By Alex Young
A Robin van Persie hat-trick saw Manchester United come from behind twice to beat a resilient Southampton side 3-2 in Sir Alex Ferguson's 1000th league game in charge.
Rickie Lambert gave the hosts an early lead before Van Persie equalised on the half-hour mark for his second goal in as many starts for his new side.
Morgan Schneiderlin headed his side back in front soon after the break before Van Persie first missed a penalty and then completed his hat-trick by first reacting first to Rio Ferdinand’s header coming back off the post and then heading come from a corner two minutes into added time.
Anders Lindegaard was given the nod by Sir Alex Ferguson to take his places in between the posts, with Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic holding the fort together in the centre of defence for United, with Nigel Adkins opting to hand 17-year-old midfielder James Ward-Prowse only the second start of his career.
After a nervy opening 15 minutes where United appeared comfortably on top, the hosts pounced.
Schneiderlin got the better of Shinji Kagawa in midfield before finding James Puncheon on the corner of the penalty area. A quick turn later and the former Blackpool attacker sent a hanging cross towards Lambert to head back across Lindegaard to give Southampton a surprising lead.
United responded well, with Kagawa trying to make amends almost immediately with a strong, low drive from 25 yards, which Davis struggled to contain, before the Japan international started the move that resulted in a the away side's equaliser.
Twisting to avoid Steven Davis in midfield, Kagawa found Danny Welbeck trotting towards goal. With his path blocked by red shirts, the striker – in for the injured Wayne Rooney – played in Antonio Valencia on the right wing to send a lofted cross towards Van Persie at the back post. A slip by Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne then gave the new signing time to set himself and stroke the ball past the helped Davis.
Whereas United were in rampant mood during weekend's 3-2 victory over Fulham after going behind early on, Southampton were not only able to keep their opposition contained but create many threatening attacks of their own – with Lambert, Puncheon and Adam Lallana pulling the strings.
United started to kick into gear as the first half drew to a close, with first Van Persie with a bending free kick from the edge of the area before Patrice Evra's header from another fine Valencia delivery but they could not find the decisive finish before the referee’s whistle.
The away side continued their new-found impetus into the second half with Kagawa and Van Persie combining well in the opening minutes for the former to flash a shot wide of goal.
However, Southampton again took full advantage of the profligacy of United by going back in front with another well-worked move. This time Lambert turned provider and Schneiderlin, skipping away from Evra who lost his footing inside the area, headed home past Lindegaard.
United were given a lifeline in just minutes later, however, when Valencia pounced on Davis' poor goal kick to find Kagawa inside the area – only for Jos Hooiveld to lunge in recklessly from behind to concede a penalty.
Van Persie duly stepped up and attempted to chip Davis, who had enough time to dive to the ground and flick the ball away for a corner.
However, Van Persie was to have the last laugh when he found himself in the right place at the right time to capitalise on Ferdinand's header pinging back off the post to draw level late on.
As the game headed into extra-time, Southampton were hanging on – in drastic contrast to the rest of the game – and eventually succumbed to Van Persie once more as he latched onto Nani's late corner to complete his hat-trick and tie up the win late on in, fittingly, Sir Alex's 1000th league game in charge.
Rickie Lambert gave the hosts an early lead before Van Persie equalised on the half-hour mark for his second goal in as many starts for his new side.
Morgan Schneiderlin headed his side back in front soon after the break before Van Persie first missed a penalty and then completed his hat-trick by first reacting first to Rio Ferdinand’s header coming back off the post and then heading come from a corner two minutes into added time.
Anders Lindegaard was given the nod by Sir Alex Ferguson to take his places in between the posts, with Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic holding the fort together in the centre of defence for United, with Nigel Adkins opting to hand 17-year-old midfielder James Ward-Prowse only the second start of his career.
After a nervy opening 15 minutes where United appeared comfortably on top, the hosts pounced.
Schneiderlin got the better of Shinji Kagawa in midfield before finding James Puncheon on the corner of the penalty area. A quick turn later and the former Blackpool attacker sent a hanging cross towards Lambert to head back across Lindegaard to give Southampton a surprising lead.
United responded well, with Kagawa trying to make amends almost immediately with a strong, low drive from 25 yards, which Davis struggled to contain, before the Japan international started the move that resulted in a the away side's equaliser.
Twisting to avoid Steven Davis in midfield, Kagawa found Danny Welbeck trotting towards goal. With his path blocked by red shirts, the striker – in for the injured Wayne Rooney – played in Antonio Valencia on the right wing to send a lofted cross towards Van Persie at the back post. A slip by Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne then gave the new signing time to set himself and stroke the ball past the helped Davis.
Whereas United were in rampant mood during weekend's 3-2 victory over Fulham after going behind early on, Southampton were not only able to keep their opposition contained but create many threatening attacks of their own – with Lambert, Puncheon and Adam Lallana pulling the strings.
United started to kick into gear as the first half drew to a close, with first Van Persie with a bending free kick from the edge of the area before Patrice Evra's header from another fine Valencia delivery but they could not find the decisive finish before the referee’s whistle.
The away side continued their new-found impetus into the second half with Kagawa and Van Persie combining well in the opening minutes for the former to flash a shot wide of goal.
However, Southampton again took full advantage of the profligacy of United by going back in front with another well-worked move. This time Lambert turned provider and Schneiderlin, skipping away from Evra who lost his footing inside the area, headed home past Lindegaard.
United were given a lifeline in just minutes later, however, when Valencia pounced on Davis' poor goal kick to find Kagawa inside the area – only for Jos Hooiveld to lunge in recklessly from behind to concede a penalty.
Van Persie duly stepped up and attempted to chip Davis, who had enough time to dive to the ground and flick the ball away for a corner.
However, Van Persie was to have the last laugh when he found himself in the right place at the right time to capitalise on Ferdinand's header pinging back off the post to draw level late on.
As the game headed into extra-time, Southampton were hanging on – in drastic contrast to the rest of the game – and eventually succumbed to Van Persie once more as he latched onto Nani's late corner to complete his hat-trick and tie up the win late on in, fittingly, Sir Alex's 1000th league game in charge.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In IST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man. United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |