BY Victor Akhidenor
Senegal international, Sadio Mane, scored the fastest-ever Barclays Premier League hat-trick against Aston Villa in Southampton’s 6-1 win on Saturday.
Mane completed his hat-trick in two minutes and 56 seconds as the Saints made a sensational start against FA Cup finalists Villa at St Mary’s Stadium.
The midfielder’s quick fire three-goal haul bettered the league’s previous best of four minutes and 33 seconds set by Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler against Arsenal in 1994.
Mane’s first goal came after 12 minutes and 22 seconds when he rode challenges from Ron Vlaar and Alan Hutton before bundling home the rebound after Villa goalkeeper Shay Given had saved his initial shot.
Vlaar gifted Mane and Southampton a second on 13 minutes and 46 seconds as his poor back-pass confused Given to allow Mane score from close range.
Mane then saved the best for last when he curled Shane Long’s pass on the edge of the area past Given to seal his record-breaking hat-trick in fine style on 15 minutes and 18 seconds.
Long scored a brace to extend Southampton’s lead to 5-0 before Christian Benteke headed home shortly before half-time to give Villa a consolation. Graziano Pelle’s late volley completed the rout.
The result lifts Southampton to sixth with one game left and – despite the heavy defeat – Aston Villa sealed their BPL safety after 18th-placed Hull lost.
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