Report: Saints Legends play out eight-goal thriller at St Mary's

Lee Barnard’s clever first-half finish gave Southampton the lead after a swift counter-attack, but Manchester United responded just before the break, Phil Bardsley smashing home to ensure the sides were level at half-time.

The second half exploded into life, Fraizer Campbell restoring United’s lead before Rickie Lambert levelled on the hour mark, only for Campbell to strike again minutes later. Saints refused to back down, Barnard grabbing his second of the afternoon to make it 3-3 in a breathless contest.

Despite a missed penalty from Dimitar Berbatov, United had the final say, Darron Gibson putting them back in front late on before Bardsley added a fifth in stoppage time to seal victory in a thrilling encounter at St Mary’s.

Manchester United had the first chance of the game just four minutes in, as Antonio Valencia made a tricky run before picking out Berbatov, whose effort, after a touch to set himself, came back off the post.

Southampton provided their first threat just seven minutes later, Andrew Surman picking out Rickie Lambert with a fine pass. His cross found Jos Hooiveld, but the defender could only head wide.

Thirteen minutes in, Saints landed the first blow of the afternoon following a quick counter-attack. Lambert’s diagonal ball released Franny Benali on the left, who delivered an inviting cross into the box.

Barnard timed his run to perfection, applying a deft flick that beat Raimond van der Gouw.

Lee Barnard celebrates scoring the opening goal.

Saints survived another scare from Manchester United moments after. Bardsley made an overlapping run before his deflected cross beat Tommy Forecast, and hit the post. Darron Gibson's follow-up effort was blocked by Frazer Richardson from close-range.

Five minutes before the break, Pelé linked up well with Lee Barnard before he saw his powerful effort held by Raimond van der Gouw.

After Victor Wanyama was brought down, Lambert was licking his lips at the opportunity to net another free-kick in a Saints shirt.

He stepped up, and despite a powerful effort, his shot was gathered by van der Gouw at the second attempt.

With just 15 seconds of the first half remaining, Valencia played a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Bardsley, who, without breaking stride, smashed home the equaliser past Forecast to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

Manchester United started the second half quickly and, just four minutes after the restart, Danny Webber showed great strength to drive forward before seeing his pass parried into the path of Fraizer Campbell, who poked home their second.

Southampton responded on the hour mark, Sam McQueen delivering a lovely low cross to the back post, where Rickie Lambert was on hand to finish.

Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard celebrate together after Saints' second goal.

But the lead lasted just two minutes. Slick link-up play from United ended with a shot being parried right into Campbell’s path, and he made no mistake to grab his second of the afternoon.

The game continued at a fast pace. Dimitar Berbatov was brought down in the area and a penalty was awarded, but the forward was denied from the spot by a superb save from Tommy Forecast.

With 20 minutes remaining, Lambert slipped a defence-splitting pass through to Jos Hooiveld, who cut the ball back for Barnard to tuck home and level the scores once again.

It felt like the 13 minutes that followed were uneventful, but perhaps that was due to the particularly entertaining first 25 minutes of the half we were spoilt to.

With eight minutes remaining, Matt Le Tissier was introduced to a standing ovation at St Mary's as he entered the pitch.

Despite the substitution, there was little that could be done about United's goal that followed. Fraizer Campbell picked out Darron Gibson with a precise cross, leaving the midfielder with a simple finish from close range.

On the stroke of 90 minutes, Phil Bardsley played Gibson through, and the favour was returned as Bardsley finished the move to seal Manchester United’s fifth of the afternoon.

An enthralling encounter at St Mary’s ultimately went the way of Manchester United, who edged an eight-goal thriller despite Saints’ spirited display.

Saints Legends: Forecast, Richardson (Blake 75'), Hooiveld, Tessem (Le Tissier 82'), Benali (Monkou 71'), Surman, Svensson (McQueen 46'), Wanyama, Pelé (Hughes 58'), Lambert (Cockerill 89'), Barnard (Forbes 89').

Goals: Barnard 13', 70', Lambert 61'.

Manchester United Legends: van der Gouw, Bardsley, Johnsen, Brown, Simpson (Pugh 54'), Gibson, Djemba-Djemba (Djordjic 79'), Valencia, Berbatov, Webber, Saha (Campbell 23').

Unused Subs: Pilkington.

Goals: Bardsley45+2', 90', Campbell 58', 63', Gibson 83'.

Attendance: 13,027