West Brom and Southampton continue to languish in mid-table obscurity with one win from their opening five matches after a goalless draw at the Hawthorns overnight.
In one of the less exciting match-ups so far this season, both sides had to content themselves with a solitary point earned in a drab affair that ended with no goals scored.
Chances were hard to fashion and even harder to put on target it seemed, with Jay Rodriguez struggling to take full grasp of a few opportunities, the best of which was a header from the edge of the six-yard-box that he directed past the post.
The home side fared struggled even more so than the visitors, with a penalty shout when Matt Targett felled Callum McManaman inside the area the main highlight of their attacking game, however, referee Stuart Atwell saw no wrongdoing. Overall, it was the Saints that looked the more threatening, but both teams lacked any real attacking edge.
Berahino back on the scene
After a very public transfer saga between the Baggies and Tottenham Hotspur, Saido Berahino was ultimately refused a request to leave the Hawthorns. After the window slammed shut the young Englishman made his thoughts about not being allowed to leave the club very clear over Twitter, stating that he would refuse to play again.
Yet 10 days after the tweet he returned to the park for Albion, coming-off the bench in the 55th minute to a mixed reception. The 22-year-old failed to make much of an impact though, as his side barely managed a shot at Maarten Stekelenburg’s goal.
Saints tighter at the back
A first appearance from deadline day signing Virgil van Dijk was the only change to the Southampton back four and the Dutch debutant helped his side to comfortably see-off the challenge of the Baggies attacking players. The arrival from Celtic came straight into the starting XI to solve coach Ronald Koeman’s problem of who to partner captain José Fonte in the centre of defence, with none of his current personnel having staked a claim for the position so far.
Looking far more structured and fluid than in recent weeks, the Saints defence quelled any threatening play mustered by a lacklustre Baggies attacking third. Seeming to have found the right mix, Koeman will now only be waiting on the return of first choice left-back Ryan Bertrand to fill out his strongest possible backline.
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Goals a commodity
Another goalless game from West Brom see them finish the fifth round with only three scored. They are far from the only team to be suffering from an attacking shyness though, with many struggling to find that outlet in front of goal.
The travelling side seemed in much the same attitude, attacking with lethargic ball movement and tame pressure only perforated by occasional bursts of individual effort and flair to give the supporters something to get excited about. Overall, a painfully tedious match to watch that left supporters bored and unsatisfied – begging the question of why so early in the season two competitive sides were so easily satisfied with a draw.
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