PREM: Southampton 0-0 Burnley

Alex McCarthy keeps out Jeff Hendrick's effort on the stroke of half-time

Southampton and Burnley played out a scoreless draw at St Mary's as goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Joe Hart distinguished themselves with a string of fine saves.

The Clarets had the better chances in the opening half as Aaron Lennon and Jeff Hendrick were both denied from point-blank range by McCarthy, who vindicated his selection ahead of new signing Angus Gunn with an accomplished performance.

Southampton struggled to assert themselves until Mark Hughes moved to a back four, with substitute Danny Ings providing greater threat, and Hart was forced into a smart save as Ings found Jack Stephens with 18 minutes remaining.

 

Ben Mee very nearly headed into his own goal, only for Ashley Westwood to produce a fine goal-line clearance as the points were shared on the south coast.

Mark Hughes cut a frustrated figure on the touchline throughout the opening 45 minutes, with the visitors by far the better side. They might have gone ahead when Jack Cork slotted beyond McCarthy, only for Southampton to be saved by the offside flag.

 

Burnley were almost rewarded for their positive start after Wesley Hoedt headed the ball into the path of Lennon, but McCarthy got down low to his right to make a smart save.

 The Englishman was forced into action once more on the stroke of half-time as Hendrick met Mee's hooked cross with a downward header, but McCarthy smothered the effort with his legs.

Hoedt made a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Johann Berg Gudmundsson moments into the second period and it was only after Mohamed Elyounoussi and Ings were introduced that Southampton asked questions of the Burnley defence.

Mee was grateful for a brilliant goal-line headed clearance by Westwood from Elyounoussi's corner before Ings found Stephens at the far post, but Hart was equal to his effort low to his left.

With four minutes remaining, James Tarkowski made a brilliant block when the lively Elyounoussi was set to pull the trigger before Ings' penalty appeal under Mee's challenge was waved away in stoppage time as the points were shared.