United Go Top with Close Victory over Saints

Louis Saha marked his debut with a goal, that he has done all he can to claim, and Paul Scholes and Ruud Van Nistelrooy were also on the scoresheet for the Champions. However, United were pushed all the way by the Saints, with Kevin Phillips netting a brace for the South coast side.

After two Premiership games without victory, and the morale of the players obviously lowered by the current backroom situation at the club, Southampton were always going to be in with a chance of a surprise victory at Old Trafford and started the brighter of the two teams.

Kevin Phillips and Brett Ormerod both had chances for the visitors, but it was United who broke the deadlock 17 minutes in with debut boy Louis Saha putting home the opening goal of the game. From 20-yards out the French striker sent a free-kick towards goal that took a wicked deflection off Phillips in the Southampton wall, changing the direction of the ball as it found its way past Anti Niemi to give the Red Devils the lead. A panel is likely to decide whether or not the goal will be officially put down as a Saha strike or an own-goal.

The goal came as huge relief to United, with only 33 minutes separating the Champions from their longest league goal drought since the Premiership was formed in 1992. An air of confidence returned to the side, and it came as no surprise when Paul Scholes doubled the lead on 36 minutes.

Louis Saha was involved again with his powerful shot parried by Niemi in the Southampton goal, but Paul Scholes was on-hand to tuck home the rebound from close range adding to the advantage for the Reds.

However, Southampton stunned everyone when they got themselves right back into the game only seconds after Scholes' effort. Kevin Phillips hit a long-range shot which diverted off the head of Ormerod leaving United 'keeper Tim Howard wrong-footed, and sending the 3,000 travelling fans into delight.

There delight was turned to ecstasy when the Saints equalised shortly after half-time, with there being no doubt who the scorer was this time. Poor defensive work from Wes Browm, who had a disappointing afternoon all round, allowed Phillips to win the ball and belt a 25-yard drive past Howard to level the scores.

Southampton then looked more likely to get the winning goal, as Tim Howard was forced to make a fantastic save to deny Ormerod after further confusion from the United defence, with Wes Brown once again to blame.

The Saints paid the price for the miss minutes later, as Ruud Van Nistelrooy ended a mini-drought to mark his first game under his new contract with a goal. United were awarded a free-kick for hand-ball against Fabrice Fernandes, which had looked like it was in the penalty area. From the set-piece, the ball found it's way to Dutch striker, who had looked in an off-side position, who poked the ball home from 8-yards. To give credit where credit is due, it was cruel on Southampton who had looked like getting a well-deserved point after staging an impressive comeback.

As you would expect from a team managed by Gordon Strachan, Southampton failed to lie down and came close to getting an equaliser. Former United player Danny Higginbotham hit the bar with an over-head kick, and Phillips failed to get a touch from off-form substitute James Beattie's cross as the visitors couldn't find the equaliser.

The three points takes United top of the table for 24 hours at least, with Arsenal taking on rivals Manchester City on Sunday. In all honestly, this was a bit of a lacklustre United display, but after the disappointing results against Newcastle and Wolves, a bit of luck was needed to get back on track in the Premiership.

Full Time - Manchester United 3-2 Southampton

Contact the Author