From Eric Cantona in August 1992 to Omar Marmoush in February 2025, the Premier League has seen no fewer than 398 hat-tricks over its 33 seasons to this point.
However ‘no fewer’ is the important thing time period, as a result of… should not that truly be 399?
It ought to in the event you ask Egil Ostenstad, whose identify is curiously absent from the checklist regardless of his strolling off with the pitch at The Dell with the match ball following their well-known 6-3 win over Manchester United in October 1996.
‘I nonetheless have the match ball and I received my aim bonus as nicely’ – Egil Ostenstad not left completely empty-handed after hat-trick that by no means formally was
Graeme Souness’ Saints have been by no means fancied to get something towards Manchester United that day, and for good purpose.
Southampton had endured a tough begin to the season, taking simply two factors from their first seven league video games. Reigning double winners United had in the meantime gone unbeaten of their first 9 matches of the Premier League marketing campaign.
Manchester United had gained a league and cup double the earlier season (Picture credit score: Alamy)
However there have been some warning indicators that an upset may be coming. Southampton had received their season rolling with a 4-0 trouncing of Middlesbrough and a 3-0 win over Sunderland, whereas United had simply suffered a 5-0 mauling away to Newcastle.
Eyal Berkovic gave Southampton the best begin by scoring after six minutes, and United have been lowered to 10 males halfway by means of the primary half as Roy Keane was dismissed.
Berkovic turning creator for Matt Le Tissier to place a legendary lob over Peter Schmeichel and make it 2-0, earlier than David Beckham pulled one again for Manchester United quickly earlier than the break.
However earlier than the half-time whistle blew, Ostenstad had prolonged the result in 3-1 off one other Berkovic ball.
Matt Le Tissier scored THAT lob in Southampton’s 6-3 win over Manchester United
David Might’s aim for United ten minutes after the interval appeared to have made it a sport once more, however the sport remained poised at 3-2 till the 83rd minute.
At that time, Southampton went wild. Berkovic received his second, smashing a surprising volley into the highest nook, then Ostenstad matched that brace after racing by means of one-on-one with Schmeichel – Berkovic with the help as soon as extra.
Paul Scholes bundled one in to make it 5-3, however just about straight from the restart Ostenstad was put by means of on Schmeichel once more.
The Norwegian picks up the story from right here, telling FourFourTwo: “For my third aim, I went round Peter Schmeichel and handed the ball into the empty web.
“Phil Neville was sliding in to cease the aim and he touched the ball simply earlier than it went in. For some unusual purpose, they determined it was an personal aim, so I believe I’m solely credited with two.
However I nonetheless have the match ball, so, for me, it’ll be three objectives it doesn’t matter what. I received my aim bonus as nicely.
“Perhaps Alex Ferguson had a phrase with the committee as a result of he didn’t like somebody scoring a hat-trick towards his group!”
Actually… we’re undecided it was truly entering into. However we’ll give it you, Egil, even when the Premier League would not.
