Southampton came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Watford, who lost Ben Watson to a straight red card in their opening Premier League match of the season this afternoon.
Summer signing Nathan Redmond was the hero for Claude Puel as he ensured that Southampton's new manager did not suffer defeat in his first league match at St Mary's.
The momentum swung swiftly in Watford's favour when Etienne Capoue scored inside the first 10 minutes of the clash, but Redmond struck back for the Saints just before the hour mark.
It was a fast start as Heurelho Gomes was forced into a save in the second minute, but he spilled his first attempt when the ball was struck by Dusan Tadic from a free kick.
The keeper managed to dispel the danger eventually when he palmed away Miguel Britos's attempted clearance, which came close to becoming an own goal.
It took nine minutes for a breakthrough to be made when Troy Deeney nodded the ball back across goal, which prompted Capoue to run onto it and smash the ball past the goalkeeper.
The visiting side had their tails up after taking the lead, but Southampton created a handful of chances themselves, one of which came from Shane Long, whose teammates failed to get onto the end of his whipped-in cross.
Tadic showed quick feet by beating three players before crossing into the penalty area, but Long's shot dropped just wide of the target.
After the break, Capoue created an opportunity for a second goal when he played in Jose Holebas, who went for glory, but his attempt soared over the crossbar.
At the other end, Redmond tested the keeper by drilling a shot towards goal after cutting inside the box, but he converted his second attempt by steering a volley into the far corner.
Both sides created opportunities as the game went on, but Watford were immediately put on the back foot when substitute Watson was sent off for hacking down Long while the striker charged towards goal.
The Hornets spent the remaining 15 minutes with 10 men, and they conceded a second goal in the dying moments of the match when Redmond prodded the ball home with his left foot, but it was ruled offside.
Neither side could find the winner, resulting in a share of the points.
Danielle Joynson
