Updated at 15.15
SADIO MANE WILL grab the headlines after Southampton’s emphatic 6-1 win over Aston Villa, but it was also a productive afternoon for Ireland striker Shane Long.
The Saints took a commanding lead early in the first half when Senegal international Mane struck three times in lightning quick succession. He got a large slice of luck with his first as an initial shot hit Shay Given and fell back into his path for an easy finish on 13 minutes.
Awful defending from Villa saw Ron Vlaar leave his back pass to Given short and Long closed his compatriot down to set up Mane for a second. Just 2 minutes 56 seconds after scoring the opener, the same player bagged his third to become the new record holder of the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history — previously held by Robbie Fowler.
Long made it 4-0 after following up Graziano Pelle’s saved strike, before doubling his personal tally in some style. The Tipperary native picked up the ball some 35 yards out and fired the ball over the head of Given, who was standing well off his line.
Christian Benteke pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but Pelle added made it 6-1 nine minutes from time as Ronald Koeman’s men boosted their chances of Europa League qualification.
Originally published at 13.33
