Southampton, Sept 01: Manchester United lose 1-0 to Southampton in the English Premier League. English Premier league champions Manchester United dropped their first points of the season on Sunday (August 31) when they lost 1-0 at Southampton to a James Beattie goal three minutes from time. Southampton came into the match having drawn all three of their league matches so far, and in the first half restricted the champions to just one worthwhile effort on goal, a Diego Forlan shot from 15 metres which goalkeeper Paul Jones blocked two minutes before the break. In the second half, Beattie saw his header pushed over the bar by United goalkeeper Tim Howard after 74 minutes and then Forlan drew a fine save from Jones with six minutes remaining. Three minutes later, the decisive moment came when Graeme le Saux's corner from the right eluded Howard leaving Beattie a simple header.

Despite the defeat, United remained in second place but are now three points behind Arsenal who won 2-1 at Manchester City.


Standings: P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 4 4 0 0 10 2 12 2. Manchester United 4 3 0 1 7 2 9 3. Portsmouth 4 2 2 0 7 2 8 4. Manchester City 4 2 1 1 8 5 7 5. Chelsea 3 2 1 0 6 4 7 6. Birmingham City 3 2 1 0 2 0 7 7. Fulham 3 2 0 1 7 5 6 8. Southampton 4 1 3 0 3 2 6 9. Blackburn Rovers 4 1 2 1 11 8 5 10. Liverpool 4 1 2 1 4 2 5 11. Charlton Athletic 4 1 2 1 6 5 5 12. Leeds United 4 1 2 1 6 6 5 13. Aston Villa 4 1 1 2 4 5 4 14. Everton 4 1 1 2 6 8 4 15. Tottenham Hotspur 4 1 1 2 2 5 4 16. Leicester City 4 0 2 2 4 7 2 17. Bolton Wanderers 4 0 2 2 2 10 2 18. Newcastle United 3 0 1 2 3 5 1 19. Middlesbrough 4 0 1 3 4 10 1 20. Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 0 1 3 1 10 1

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