Photos from St Mary's

James Beattie struck two minutes from full-time to give Southampton a deserved victory over a subdued Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium.

A series of excellent saves from Tim Howard appeared to have ensured a point for the visitors, but his failure to claim Graeme Le Saux's late corner allowed Beattie to head home from short range.

The first half was largely forgettable, but Saints increased the tempo after the break and created a series of chances before Beattie ensured Saints' first Premiership win of the season.

A strangely disjointed United, in comparison, offered little and deserved nothing, losing their first Premiership game of 2003.

Southampton shaded an indistinct first half in which clear openings were at a premium.

The home team had a penalty appeal against Phil Neville turned down and Paul Telfer drove wide from 20 yards as Southampton tried to seize the early initiative.

A long throw caused problems in the United penalty area and Beattie's header was hacked away for a corner.

KEY MOMENTS 68 mins: Howard denies Phillips 69 mins: Howard saves from Lundekvam 84 mins: Jones thwarts Forlan 88 mins: Beattie scores the winner

Another teasing delivery fell to Telfer at the far post, but he failed to connect cleanly and the danger was cleared.

Le Saux tried his luck from 30 yards with a free-kick and Kevin Phillips was just offside from Fabrice Fernandes' through ball.

United never really found their rhythm before the break, but a teasing Gary Neville cross found Ryan Giggs eight yards from goal.

The Wales international found the target on the volley but his compatriot Paul Jones comfortably saved, as he did from Ruud van Nistelrooy later in the half.

Diego Forlan found space two minutes before the break but he too could not find his way past Jones' defences.

Another penalty appeal, this time against Giggs, was rejected two minutes into the second half.

HAVE YOUR SAY They played the better football, they thoroughly deserved the win From Joe Join the debate

And shortly afterwards Beattie drilled a dangerous ball across the face of the United goal as Saints tried to capitalise on the opposition's poor showing.

United introduced Cristiano Ronaldo after 67 minutes - but it was the home team who created a succession of chances.

Beattie's aerial prowess put Phillips through and - after twisting and turning Mikael Silvestre - he forced an excellent save from Howard.

Seconds later Howard again thwarted the industrious Saints, saving Claus Lundekvam's header.

After 75 minutes Beattie once again rose above the United defence and headed goalwards only to be denied by Howard.

Forlan almost snatched victory after 84 minutes, but his raking drive was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Paul Jones.

And with the full-time whistle looming Beattie scored his second Premiership goal of the season.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Le Saux, McCann, Oakley, Telfer, Fernandes, Beattie, Phillips.
Subs: Niemi, Anders Svensson, Higginbotham, Marsden, Ormerod.

Man Utd: Howard, Gary Neville, O'Shea, Silvestre, Phil Neville, Giggs, Keane, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Forlan, van Nistelrooy.
Subs: Carroll, Butt, Ronaldo, Bellion, Fortune.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).