SOUTH COAST DERBY ENDS IN GOALLESS STALEMATE

Southampton manage to hold Bournemouth to a goalless stalemate in the South Coast derby at the Vitality Stadium.

Source: Reuters

The good news for the home side was Ryan Fraser was fit enough to start following his scintillating start to the season.

The first-half wasn't anything to write home about... the hosts arguably having the better of it; but no real clear-cut chances for either side.

Some good energy shown by Callum Wilson meant he dispossessed Ryan Bertrand and found David Brooks, who could only fire wide for the Cherries.

A half to forget as both sides went into half-time without a goal...

The game looked as if it was slightly opening up, with on-loan Saints striker Danny Ings hitting a low shot, but it was comfortable for Asmir Begovic.

About an hour in, the best chance of the match fell to Bournemouth, when Wilson and Junior Stanislas linked up well and set up Joshua King who couldn't find the target from close range.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg controlled well with his chest before volleying to test Begovic for perhaps Southampton's best chance of the game.

Bournemouth came close when Fraser's corner was met by the head of defender Nathan Ake, who couldn't find a way past Alex McCarthy.

Neither side could make the breakthrough - and the happier of the managers would have to be Mark Hughes, considering the two team's contrasting starts!