Southampton fail to score again, drawing 0-0 with Manchester United
By Chris Hughes
Southampton stuttered to yet another goalless draw in tonight’s late kick-off, as Manchester United held the Saints to a 0-0 scoreline.
A Sergio Romero masterclass inflicted Claude Puel’s side to a seventh goalless draw of the season, and their third in their last five games.
The Argentine was on top form, saving an early Manolo Gabbiadini penalty and stopping James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic in the second half.
It means that the Saints haven’t scored at home in over six hours of football, with JWP’s strike against Crystal Palace the last goal at St. Mary’s.
However by picking up a point against United the Saints are now eighth in their own right with 46 points in comparison to West Brom’s 45. If they equal or better the Baggies’ result this weekend they are guaranteed to finish above them.
Jose Mourinho’s side won’t be too bothered by the two points dropped tonight, with sixth being both the highest and lowest position the Red Devils can finish in this season.
The game started in a lively fashion, with arguably the match’s biggest moment coming in the sixth minute. A long ball was spread towards the edge of the box and Eric Bailly brought it down with an outstretched arm.
It turns out that the Ivorian was in fact outside the box when the ball was handled, meaning justice was served when Manolo Gabbiadini’s placed spot-kick was saved by his former Sampdoria colleague in goal.
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The following 25 minutes produced a host of chances for both sides, with United having good efforts through Eric Bailly and Frenchman Anthony Martial.
The rest of the half however was fairly stale with Romero producing a couple of saves, one of which came from Nathan Redmond after a nice give-and-go on the edge of the box.
In the 52nd minute Southampton had a superb chance as Ward-Prowse laid the ball off to Tadic at a dead-ball play, but the Serbian could only find the gloves on Romero in net despite the power behind the shot.
Oriol Romeu and JWP shared good chances in the second half without being able to get it past the back-up United stopper, whilst Martial hit the post for United at the other end.
Puel’s substitutions were met with boos however, with Ward-Prowse replacement late on not pleasing the supporters after his above-average performance.
Rodriguez had the last good chance of the game in the 81st minute, and the game slumped out to a goalless draw.
Next up for the Saints is Stoke City this weekend.