Nothing could separate West Bromwich Albion and Southampton as their quiet Premier League clash at The Hawthorns ultimately failed to get going and finished 0-0.
Southampton penned the hosts back early on and were unfortunate not to take the lead after just three minutes when Dusan Tadic's cross just evaded Graziano Pelle at the near post, before Tadic had an effort of his own blocked.
Albion thought that they should have had a penalty when Matt Targett slid in rashly on Callum McManaman just as the winger was about to pull the trigger, and Craig Dawson headed Chris Brunt's corner over the bar as the hosts started to find more of a foothold.
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However, it was Ronald Koeman's side that had two big chances to take the lead through Jay Rodriguez as the half drew to a close, firstly when the striker could only produce a weak effort which was held easily by Boaz Myhill, before the former Burnley man missed a glorious opportunity when he nodded wide from another Tadic cross.
Salomon Rondon spurned a chance in comical fashion just before the whistle when he tripped over the ball after Rickie Lambert had sent him away, and the striker spooned an effort over the bar as Albion missed Saido Berahino up front.
The 22-year-old did return off the bench in the second half following the controversy surrounding Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of him this summer, and he nearly set up McManaman for the opener when the winger curled wide.
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At the other end, Tadic continued to be the main source of creativity for Ronald Koeman's side but Sadio Mane and Pelle both failed to connect with inviting balls from the Serbian as Southampton struggled to break down the home side.
Pelle should have won it late on when Darren Fletcher gifted him a golden opportunity in the penalty box, but the Italian's lame finish summed up both teams' afternoon as the match fizzled out.
Tom Nightingale
