Southampton and Bournemouth were forced to share the spoils at the St Mary’s Stadium, after playing to a goalless draw in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Saints got off to a bright start and had the first chance at goal in the fourth minute when Nathan Redmond made a run down the field, before taking a strike at goal from just outside the penalty area, but he blazed his effort high over the bar.

Southampton had a goal disallowed in the 14th minute when Ryan Bertrand played an early low cross into the path of Rodriguez, who found the back of the net on his second attempt, but the linesman flagged his effort as offside.

The Cherries nearly took the lead in the 33rd minute when Southampton failed to deal with a ball from the corner, and Andrew Surman looked to have poked it past Forster, but his effort was cleared off the line by Steven Davis.

Southampton came close to opening the scoring in the 38th minute when Cedric down whipped a low cross towards the edge of the area to pick out Tadic, who saw his left-footed shot graze the outside of the post, with Boruc rooted to the spot.

A minute before the half-time interval, Southampton had two chances at goal in a matter of seconds, first from Maya Yoshida, and then from Rodriguez’s powerful first-time shot over the bar.

In the 66th minute, Bournemouth had a chance to take the lead when King rolled the ball across to Afobe, who only had Forster to beat from 12 yards out, but the striker guided his effort just wide of the target.

The Cherries again came close to scoring in the 74th minute when Smith’s low drive crashed against the post, before falling at the feet of Pugh, but the winger took a touch, instead of hitting it first time. Forster was able to get quickly off his line to save the shot, before Southampton scrambled the ball away.

Bournemouth were a awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when Wilshere was pulled back by Bertrand. Arter stepped up to take the spot-kick, but blasted the spot-kick high over the bar.

With a minute left to play, Bournemouth had another chance when Arter hit a fierce strike from 25 yards out, but Forster was on hand to palm the ball away from danger as the match ended in a goalless draw.

Image: Premier League website