Saints star Sadio Mane could not hide his delight after scoring the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.

The forward netted three times in the space of just two minutes and 56 seconds during the first half against Aston Villa, to set Ronald Koeman’s side on the way to a stunning 6-1 win at St Mary’s.

Mane’s incredible treble beat the previous Premier League record set by Robbie Fowler, who netted a hat-trick for Liverpool in four minutes and 33 seconds in a 1994 game against Arsenal.

“I am happy today for the team, because if you see the last few weeks it was not easy, but you have to accept it’s football,” said the Senegal international in an interview with the club.

“We have just tried to give our best in training, to work hard, and finally we [got the] reward.

“I think we did a great performance today, because we worked together as a team.

“If you look, our last three games we always start late, but, yeah, I think everybody is conscience to that and I think everybody do what the manager say, and it was going well.

“I am happy, but I think the more important [is to win]. It’s important to score for the team, so I’m happy, the team win, for the fans and I think they will be happy today.”