<p>Robin van Persie struck twice late on to complete his hat-trick and seal a dramatic 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday. <br /><br />The Dutch striker's earlier penalty miss with his side trailing 2-1 looked to have condemned United to a second defeat in their opening three league games but he made amends with two poacher's goals in the dying minutes to steal the points. <br /><br />Van Persie's thumping 92nd-minute header was his 100th Premier League goal and his fourth in three appearances for United since he joined from Arsenal for 24 million pounds ($38.12 million) in the transfer window. </p>.<p>Earlier, Lukas Podolski, the man tasked with filling the prolific Dutchman's boots for Arsenal, opened his account in English football in a 2-0 victory at Liverpool. It was Arsenal's first win, and first goals, of the season after two 0-0 draws, while Liverpool's solitary point from their opening three fixtures is their worst start for 50 years. <br /><br />In the day's other match, Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Aston Villa, leaving Southampton as the only top-flight side still without a point. <br /><br />Van Persie scored 37 times for Arsenal last season to clinch the Premier League's Player of the Year award and has carried that prolific form to United. <br /><br />"He's got four goals in two starts which is a great statistic and he'll get better," United manager Alex Ferguson, whose side climbed to fifth with six points, told Sky Sports. <br /><br />Until the 87th minute, however, it was Van Persie's fluffed penalty which was set to make the headlines. <br /><br />Newly-promoted Southampton had taken the lead after 16 minutes when Rickie Lambert climbed high to head past Anders Lindegaard after United had lost possession in midfield.<br /> <br />Van Persie levelled eight minutes later, chesting down Antonio Valencia's pass and smashing left-footed past Davis. <br /><br />United never looked secure at the back, though, and Schneiderlin headed Lambert's cross past Lindegaard after 56 minutes, finding himself unmarked following Evra's slip. <br /><br />After Van Persie's penalty miss the home fans were preparing to celebrate a famous win, only for Van Persie to ruin the party. First he prodded home from close range after Rio Ferdinand's header rebounded off the post. <br /><br />Then, deep into added time, he made sublime contact with a corner to flash a header past Davis. "We were a bit lucky with the 2-2 and the dramatic end," Van Persie told Sky Sports. <br /></p>
<p>Robin van Persie struck twice late on to complete his hat-trick and seal a dramatic 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday. <br /><br />The Dutch striker's earlier penalty miss with his side trailing 2-1 looked to have condemned United to a second defeat in their opening three league games but he made amends with two poacher's goals in the dying minutes to steal the points. <br /><br />Van Persie's thumping 92nd-minute header was his 100th Premier League goal and his fourth in three appearances for United since he joined from Arsenal for 24 million pounds ($38.12 million) in the transfer window. </p>.<p>Earlier, Lukas Podolski, the man tasked with filling the prolific Dutchman's boots for Arsenal, opened his account in English football in a 2-0 victory at Liverpool. It was Arsenal's first win, and first goals, of the season after two 0-0 draws, while Liverpool's solitary point from their opening three fixtures is their worst start for 50 years. <br /><br />In the day's other match, Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Aston Villa, leaving Southampton as the only top-flight side still without a point. <br /><br />Van Persie scored 37 times for Arsenal last season to clinch the Premier League's Player of the Year award and has carried that prolific form to United. <br /><br />"He's got four goals in two starts which is a great statistic and he'll get better," United manager Alex Ferguson, whose side climbed to fifth with six points, told Sky Sports. <br /><br />Until the 87th minute, however, it was Van Persie's fluffed penalty which was set to make the headlines. <br /><br />Newly-promoted Southampton had taken the lead after 16 minutes when Rickie Lambert climbed high to head past Anders Lindegaard after United had lost possession in midfield.<br /> <br />Van Persie levelled eight minutes later, chesting down Antonio Valencia's pass and smashing left-footed past Davis. <br /><br />United never looked secure at the back, though, and Schneiderlin headed Lambert's cross past Lindegaard after 56 minutes, finding himself unmarked following Evra's slip. <br /><br />After Van Persie's penalty miss the home fans were preparing to celebrate a famous win, only for Van Persie to ruin the party. First he prodded home from close range after Rio Ferdinand's header rebounded off the post. <br /><br />Then, deep into added time, he made sublime contact with a corner to flash a header past Davis. "We were a bit lucky with the 2-2 and the dramatic end," Van Persie told Sky Sports. <br /></p>