LONDON, Sept 2: 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.

Earlier, Arsenal kick-started their campaign at the expense of Liverpool with new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla both opening their accounts in a comfortable 2-0 win at Anfield.

Cazorla slipped in Podolski for the Germany forward’s opener in the 31st minute before the roles were reversed, with the Spain midfielder finding the net with a low 68th-minute shot that deflected in off goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s elbow.

They were Arsenal’s first goals of the new campaign and a third straight clean sheet lifted Arsene Wenger’s team into the top half of the standings.

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.

On Saturday, a rejuvenated Carlos Tevez inspired Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers, moving the defending champions to within two points of early pacesetters Chelsea.

Tevez spent the bulk of last season on strike but has settled his differences with the club and is now back to his best form, scoring for the fourth straight game this campaign and his 50th in the league for City.

The Argentine also set up the other two goals, by Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko.

Ivorian Toure fired City, who memorably needed two stoppage-time goals on the final day of the season against Rangers in May to win the top-flight title for the first time since 1968, ahead at Eastlands when he fired home left-footed from close range following a corner.

However, tiredness appeared to creep into their display in the second half, allowing Bobby Zamora to equalise in the 59th minute for QPR.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart could only parry a fierce drive from Andy Johnson and Zamora headed into an empty net.

But parity lasted just two minutes with Dzeko heading in an excellent Tevez cross.

Tevez sealed the points in stoppage time with a scuffed effort when he deflected in Dzeko’s wayward shot that sank a new-look Rangers team.

Results:
Played on Sunday:
Liverpool 0    Arsenal 2
Newcastle United 1    Aston Villa 1
Southampton 2    Manchester United 3

Played on Saturday:
Manchester City 3    Queens Park Rangers 1
Swansea City 2    Sunderland 2
Tottenham Hotspur 1    Norwich City 1
West Bromwich Albion 2    Everton 0
West Ham United 3    Fulham 0
Wigan Athletic 2    Stoke City 2 —Agencies