Van Persie hat-trick seals late win for Man United

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - 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.

The Dutchman's 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.

His 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 poundsin the transfer window.

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.

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.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)