West Brom 0-0 Southampton: Saints held at The Hawthorns

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This 0-0 stalemate with West Brom means Ronald Koeman’s side have now drawn all three of their opening away games in the top-flight this season.

Despite that unbeaten record, however, their winless run on the road has now extended to ten Premier League matches.

As well as a point, though, there were plenty of positives to take away from the trip to Birmingham – notably an impressive debut for Virgil van Dijk, who was a dominant and assured presence at the heart of defence.

There was a slight shift in formation from Koeman here, as Saints set up with just one, rather than their usual two, holding midfielders.

Victor Wanyama, who received an early burst of his name from the visiting fans despite the events that occurred during the final week of the transfer window, took up that role, with a flat bank of four playing in front of him and just behind Graziano Pelle.

It seemed to have the desired effect, as Saints, who conceded within two minutes here last season, started in far more assured fashion this time round.

They nearly carved out an excellent chance in the fifth minute, as Dusan Tadic drifted in from the right touchline and curled a low ball towards the near-post area, but Pelle couldn’t quite stretch his right leg out far enough to make contact, as it skipped through to Boaz Myhill in goal.

Saints had been untroubled in the first 15 minutes, but they were suddenly exposed after a quarter-of-an-hour when Callum McManaman sprinted away from Matt Targett down the right to latch onto Rickie Lambert’s pass.

The winger drove into the area and appeared to be clearly upended by the teenage left-back’s sliding tackle, but, to the fury of the West Brom players and crowd, referee Stuart Attwell awarded a goal kick to Saints.

The hosts perhaps could have then gone ahead in the 26th minute, as Craig Dawson ran free to meet Chris Brunt’s in-swinging corner, but he ended up running under the ball and could only head it up and over from six yards.

It was still Saints who dominated much of the ball, but they were struggling to break down Albion’s stubborn resistance.

Jay Rodriguez did find some space to run into after turning Dawson down the inside-left after 35 minutes, but his subsequent low shot from 18 yards was comfortable for Myhill.

He should have found the net moments later, as Tadic’s in-swinging cross picked out his run, but, having got clear of Dawson ten yards out, he stooped and planted his header wide of the post.

It proved to be the last significant action before the interval, as both sides cancelled each other out the rest of the way.

There were no changes in personnel at the break, but it was Saints who came out of half-time well in command.

They had a penalty appeal waved away in the 53rd minute, as Steven Davis’ delivery from deep picked out Wanyama, whose header hit Darren Fletcher. Wanyama and Jose Fonte both screamed for handball, but Attwell wasn’t interested, and replays suggested it was the right call.

Seconds later, Rodriguez drilled in an angled shot from the corner of the area, which took a deflection on its way through and went straight into the grasp of Myhill.

Saints were well on top, but West Brom did remind them of their threat, as Salomon Rondon drifted away from the attention of van Dijk, who had been an otherwise impeccable presence up to that point, before controlling a ball in from the right and firing over.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis was the first to make a change, taking off Lambert – who received a standing ovation from the Saints fans – and throwing on Saido Berahino, who was back in the squad after failing to get his desired move to Tottenham in the transfer window.

Pulis then removed the lively McManaman for James McClean after the hour mark.

In between, Maarten Stekelenburg was nearly left red-faced, as he spilled a routine looping ball in the box, but he was able to fall on it before it was bundled over the line by the Baggies.

Ward-Prowse then had two efforts in quick succession, first ballooning over from Tadic’s cutback after Saints broke impressively, before dragging another effort wide from 20 yards.

The 67th minute saw Koeman make his first change, as Sadio Mane was introduced for Rodriguez, with Tadic moving to the left to accommodate Mane down the right.

The switch nearly worked to perfection, as Mane sprinted onto Ward-Prowse’s ball down the inside-right, but fired wide of the near post from just inside the corner of the area.

Cedric Soares was then taken off for Maya Yoshida, who went to right-back, while Brunt saw the first caution of the afternoon, for wiping out Mane.

The match began to meander towards a conclusion, with Jonny Evans being replaced by Jonas Olsson with five minutes left, but nothing either manager did could result in a breakthrough.