Southampton draw 0-0 against West Brom in their first home match of the Premier League season

Saints and West Brom played out a goalless draw in Ronald Koeman's first home Premier League game in charge of the club.

Both sides resisted the urge to bring in their big-money summer strikers as Shane Long and Brown Ideye were left warming the respective benches

The duo came on, but could not make telling contributions, with Baggies boss Alan Irvine no doubt the happier of the two managers to settle for a share of the spoils.

Koeman fielded other new signings, such as Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic, but, despite signs of sharpness from the latter, neither could make the difference.

It was the visitors who started well at St Mary's, with Irvine's charges also looking to make an impact.

Baggies' captain Chris Brunt had a shout for a penalty as early as the second minute, but referee Roger East was unmoved as he fell inside the area while looking to turn the Southampton defence.

Brunt was involved again shortly afterwards as his cross was met by Victor Anichebe, who reacted quickest to swing a boot at the ball, only to see his effort fly wide.

With former West Brom striker Long again only starting from the bench for Koeman's side, fellow summer signing Pelle was given the responsibility of operating as the main forward.

The former Italy Under-21 international had Southampton's first chance of the game, but could only glance an eighth-minute header wide of a post.

But again it was the travelling fans who saw their side come close to breaking the deadlock as Graeme Dorrans had his low shot bravely blocked by Saints captain Jose Fonte.

Southampton started to turn the tide in their favour and it was Jonas Olsson who had to block Pelle's effort after good work down the left by Ryan Bertrand.

Pelle was again involved as Tadic's cross drifted just too high for the ex-Feyenoord man to reach, with West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster caught in no-man's land after a mix-up with Andre Wisdom.

England international Foster was on hand to make the first real save of the game as he pushed away Tadic's close-range effort after the Serbia international had done well to initially win the ball back.

Long was introduced at the break in place of Steven Davis, with Ideye brought on for his Baggies debut 10 minutes later.

But it was Tadic who wasted the best chance in the early stages of the second half, drifting inside unchallenged before rolling a tame shot at Foster.

West Brom hit their hosts on the break and Sebastien Pocognoli's deep cross was headed into the side-netting by Ideye.

That proved to be Pocognoli's last contribution as the Belgium international was forced off, with Jason Davidson, another debutant, taking his place.

Tadic was proving to be the man most likely to make something happen and he came close to his first Saints goal after drilling Long's knock-down narrowly wide.

With Southampton starting to ask more questions, James Ward-Prowse hit the outside of a post with a bending free-kick, with Foster seemingly well-beaten.

Irvine's side were dangerous when they went forward and Ideye continued to impress as he turned Fonte inside the box and forced the best save of the match out of a sprawling Fraser Forster.

But neither side could fashion a chance to take all three points with a late winner, with a point apiece a fair reflection of a forgettable afternoon.