Match ends, Watford 0, Southampton 0.
WatfordWatford0SouthamptonSouthampton0
Watford and Southampton served up an uninspiring draw as they both remain without a league win after three games of the top-flight season.
Hornets midfielder Etienne Capoue had the best chance of the game only to head over from two yards.
Ikechi Anya also sent in a dangerous cross for Watford striker Odion Ighalo but he failed to connect.
Graziano Pelle had a rare Saints chance but his angled shot was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Relive Watford's draw against Southampton
Europa League hangover?
To say this was not a classic would be a bit of an understatement as both sides lacked a goal threat and cancelled each other out.
Southampton drew 1-1 in the first leg of a Europa League qualifier at home to Danish side FC Midtjylland on Thursday and lacked an attacking spark, especially after forward Sadio Mane went off injured early on.
Following this performance, Saints manager Ronald Koeman may be concerned at the impact of combining the demands of a domestic season with a European campaign if they qualify for the group phase of the Europa League.
On the plus side, Koeman employed a formation using three centre-backs and his side kept their first clean sheet in nine Premier League games.
Wasteful Watford
The Hornets scored 91 goals in the Championship last season as they achieved promotion but have yet to get off the mark in two home games this campaign.
Chances were at a premium in this game and when they did come the home side's way they lacked the ruthlessness to take them.
Anya twice delivered threatening crosses into the Southampton six-yard box in the first half and the first evaded everyone while the second went through the legs of Ighalo at the far post.
Man of the match - Ikechi Anya (Watford)
Manager reaction
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores:
"We tried to win but it was impossible. They changed their plan and it was difficult.
"We had maybe two or three chances. It was difficult to create opportunities because they played well and defended with five players."
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman:
"We played a little bit different than the first two games because we had to be defensively better. In my opinion, it always starts at the back and at least we had our first clean sheet of the season.
"One of the key points of last season was that we had a strong defensive organisation."
Southampton's Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama have been linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively but Koeman added: "We know have to deal with speculation over our players.
"Again, no-one is for sale. Everyone stays at Southampton. We want to bring in another defender."
The stats you need to know
- Watford failed to have a shot on target in this match, with all 13 of their efforts being blocked or off target.
- Troy Deeney has only scored two goals in his last 11 appearances for Watford.
- The Saints have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (won one, drew three, lost five), but this was their first clean sheet in that run.
What next?
Watford will travel to Preston on Tuesday for a League Cup second-round match. Southampton face a trip to Denmark to play FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday with the tie poised at 1-1.
Line-ups
Watford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Gomes
- 2Nyom
- 5Prödl
- 15Cathcart
- 25HolebasSubstituted forDiamantiat 45'minutes
- 29Capoue
- 8BehramiSubstituted forWatsonat 86'minutes
- 21Anya
- 24Ighalo
- 7Jurado
- 9Deeney
Substitutes
- 3Britos
- 11Forestieri
- 19Layun
- 22Abdi
- 23Watson
- 32Diamanti
- 34Arlauskis
Southampton
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 22Stekelenburg
- 26Caulker
- 6José Fonte
- 3Yoshida
- 2Cédric Soares
- 12WanyamaBooked at 28mins
- 14RomeuBooked at 57mins
- 33Targett
- 8DavisSubstituted forWard-Prowseat 72'minutes
- 19PellèSubstituted forRodriguezat 79'minutes
- 10ManéSubstituted forLongat 25'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Davis
- 7Long
- 9Rodriguez
- 11Tadic
- 15Martina
- 16Ward-Prowse
- 20Juanmi
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
- Attendance:
- 20,166
Match Stats
Home TeamWatfordAway TeamSouthampton
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Watford 0, Southampton 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Steven Caulker (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Ward-Prowse with a cross.
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Cédric Soares (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Ben Watson (Watford).
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Attempt missed. Ben Watson (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Cédric Soares (Southampton).
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Alessandro Diamanti (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Ben Watson replaces Valon Behrami.
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Attempt missed. Shane Long (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Cédric Soares.
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Foul by Shane Long (Southampton).
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Etienne Capoue (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Victor Wanyama (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
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Attempt missed. Shane Long (Southampton) right footed shot from long range on the left misses to the left.
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Attempt missed. Odion Ighalo (Watford) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jurado with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Cédric Soares with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Jay Rodriguez replaces Graziano Pellè.
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Offside, Watford. Craig Cathcart tries a through ball, but Troy Deeney is caught offside.
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Foul by Graziano Pellè (Southampton).
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Valon Behrami (Watford) wins a free kick on the left wing.