Southampton 2-3 Man Utd – Hat-Trick Hero Van Persie Saves Red Devils In Fergie Time (Photos & Highlights)
By Alan Duffy
Southampton 2-3 Manchester United – Premier League – 2nd September 2012
On Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1,000th league game in charge of Manchester United, summer-signing Robin Van Persie conjured up a fine gift for his boss in the shape of a crucial hat-trick.
The £24million Dutchman netted in the first half to level the scores after Rickie Lambert had put the Saints 1-0 up. However, Nigel Adkins’ side were more than a match for United, and took the lead again through Morgan Schneiderlin on 55 minutes.
Van Persie then had a chance to bag an equaliser from the penalty spot, only for his attempt at a Panenka to backfire. However, with the game entering it’s final minutes, the striker produced two more goals to give the Red Devils a vital away win and take the former Arsenal man to 100 Premier League goals.
A magnificent solo display from RVP but the Saints will feel that luck was rather against them.
Oh, and Manchester United – a ‘one-man team’ now, yes?
Photos…
Highlights…
Photos: PA
Remembering Ivan Turina – A Football Report
Moyes Has Done Sod All To Deserve United Job – Johnny Nic For F365
Anfield: The Victims, The Anger And The Shameful Truth – Guardian
The A-Z Of Football Boot Brands – The Boot Room
Man Utd Coach Delivers Opinion On Rooney's Form – Off The Post
19 Rules Of Playing Football When You're A Kid – BuzzFeed
Chiles, Keane, Dixon & Southgate Preview Madrid vs Dortmund – The False Nine
Brilliant 'Punk Aesthetic' West Ham Artwork – Is Saitch Yer Daddy?
Very American, Not Very Good: The 1971 St Louis Stars – IBWM
Paolo Di Canio Sings The Hits – Fitba Thatba
Despite the score, it was a terrible game by United. For a period of time, every single pass forward was either intercepted or went straight to a Southampton player. Robin, thank you for the hat-trick, but when was the last time a United player tried to get cheeky with a penalty? It was horrid! Could have easily just slotted it to the right. Chicharito had a nice little play, receiving a long ball at the edge of the box, going between two defenders only to have Clyne tackle the ball for a corner, which resulted in the tying goal. Valencia, ball control was good, but crossing this game was terrible, almost each was a low ball through a crowd, when Van Persie, Welbeck and Chicharito are all great through the air. Just look at RvPs first goal, cross through the air and brings it down. Again, United’s persistence paid off, but Southampton deserved at least a point from this match.
Obviously when united are at their best they are not a one man team.. They just happen to have players who can change a game on their own. Anyway they still have Rooney so they’re at least a two man team.
Van Persie had yet another great game. He’s the first to admit that he doesn’t get every shot right or on target, but when you’re as prolific as he is in front of goal you’re allowed the odd slip-up.
But that penalty, my god. I do hope he feels embarrassed about it, enough to never try anything so stupid again.
Just place it with power. If the keeper saves it (or it hits a post), at least it looks like you tried and weren’t trying to be a clever dick with your team trailing 2-1.
As I said, he’s the first to admit to his errors so fair play to him.
arsenal was and now man u is the team of “one person” van persie u know what i mean u funny people?
If United’s defence continues to remain shite,they sure won’t be able to complain if they lose out on GD again.
@ Anonymous
Haha, you are kidding right? Manchester United has never been nor will be a one man team as long as ferguson is around. The Scholes substitution (for example) turned the whole game around for united but no one seems to mention it for some reason..