Bournemouth 0-0 Southampton: Cherries hold Saints to goalless draw

Despite going into the match as underdogs, Southampton had the better chances as the two south coast sides played out to a 0-0 stalemate.

The hosts had scored ten goals in their last four games at the Vitality Stadium but were held by a resolute Southampton side today, who looked well-drilled in a 4-4-2 formation that saw Jack Stephens start at the heart of defence.

The Saints meanwhile continued their poor run of form in front of goal, with their conversion rate being a serious cause for concern as they once again couldn’t take their chances. Charlie Austin had a golden chance after breaking away before both Armstrong and Gabbiadini had chances late on which they didn’t take.

Eddie Howe’s Cherries side went into the game sixth in the table meaning they will be bitterly disappointed with both their performance and the result – Mark Hughes meanwhile will just be glad the Saints have recorded their first point in the league in four matches. However, it may of come at the expense of a Mario Lemina injury.

Bournemouth were the quickest out the traps of the two teams, and Adam Smith had a great chance within the first five minutes to put his side ahead. On-form wide pairing Ryan Fraser and David Brooks also both created opportunities, with the latter being set up by Callum Wilson before sending his curling effort just wide.

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But Southampton’s own winger Nathan Redmond also had a respectable afternoon and was perhaps the Saints’ liveliest player. His run to the byline on the 24-minute mark almost created a chance for the away team but he couldn’t get a ball into the middle.

Austin had the Saints’ best chance of the first half after he was sent through on goal but he chose to try and round Asmir Begovic rather than simply place it past him.

The game had limited chances after that with Nathan Ake proving a threat from set-pieces but Alex McCarthy remained sharp. Late in the game a deep cross was sent back into the box by Southampton and it seemed a certain goal for substitute Stuart Armstrong, but the midfielder fluffed his lines in a embarrassing moment for him and the Saints.

But the away team would get one more chance to snatch all three points as Redmond again delivered a sensational cross which beat Begovic only to be headed on top of the net by Gabbiadini.

The result means the Saints now have six points to their name and with other results they can’t go lower than the 16th they currently occupy. Next up for Hughes’ side is a must-win game against fellow strugglers Newcastle.