The Own Goal Controversy That Haunted Egil Ostenstad for 30 Years: Did Alex Ferguson’s Influence Change Football History?
Over the course of 33 Premier League seasons, the football gods have blessed us with at least 398 dazzling hat-tricks — from the thunderous strikes of Eric Cantona in ’92 to the recent magic woven by Omar Marmoush in 2025. Yet here’s a curveball: shouldn’t the tally really hit 399? Well, according to Egil Ostenstad, that number’s not just a suggestion, it’s a sure thing. Oddly enough, his name is missing from the official records, despite him strolling off The Dell clutching the match ball after Southampton’s astonishing 6-3 dismantling of Manchester United back in October 1996. It’s one of those quirks that makes football history so deliciously unpredictable — a story of goals, guts, and perhaps a pinch of politics behind the scenes. Curious to know why one of the Premier League’s most memorable performances slipped through the cracks? Dive into the controversy and relive that unforgettable day.
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