MAGNIFICENT Saints sent champions Arsenal packing with a thrilling 3-2 victory at St Mary's this afternoon.

In-form James Beattie hit two and Agustin Delgado one as Saints maintained their proud unbeaten home record.

For Arsenal, Sol Campbell was giving his marching orders after 57 minutes for cynically bringing down Delgado when the Ecuadorian was clean in on goal.

Dennis Bergkamp had put Arsenal ahead after 36 minutes, but Beattie equalised on the stroke of half-time with a rasping drive.

Beattie then scored his eighth in seven from the spot after the foul on Campbell.

And on 67 minutes Delgado made it 3-1, only for Robert Pires to hit back and set up a tense finale.

But Saints were not to be denied - finally gaining their rewards after a string of outstanding performances against heavy-weight opposition.

FOR FULL MATCH REPORTS AND PICTURES SEE TONIGHT'S PINK AND MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO.