Southampton off the mark in draw with Swansea

Southampton was woefully off the mark in a Premier League draw against Swansea.

Despite a defensive minded Swansea, Southampton saw their league goal drought stretch to 303 minutes.

Dusan Tadic was the first of many casualties to waste a clear chance when he fired wide from close-range inside the opening five minutes of the new season.

But Saints, who fired 28 attempts toward goal, found the target just twice and further highlighted an issue that has plagued the club.

Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand were in mid-season form and queued up the chances, but Tadic, Manolo Gabbiadini and James Ward-Prowse failed in their attempts.

Swansea hardly threatened the Saints defence without Gylfi Sigurdsson. Tammy Abraham missed a golden opportunity when he directed a header wide of the post.

Southampton, however, couldn't take advantage of prime positions with Redmond and Ward-Prowse both coming close.

Redmond shot just over the bar from 20 yards, before Lukasz Fabianski denied Ward-Prowse with a fine save.

Swansea looked to have turned the page after the break, but Abraham saw his effort blocked and Leroy Fer sent the follow-up wide.

Tadic saw his swerving effort palmed away by Fabianski whilst Maya Yoshida would miss the target with a free header.

The same pair would each come close nearing full-time, but again failed to capitalise on golden opportunities.

Southampton: Forster, Bertrand (McQueen 86), Yoshida, Stephens, Cedric, Romeu, Davis, Redmond, Ward-Prowse (Boufal 71), Tadic, Gabbiadini (Austin 68).

Unused subs: Taylor, Bednarek, Lemina, Long.

Bookings: Redmond (16), Romeu (33).

Goals: None.

Swansea: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Britton (Fulton 74), Fer, Carroll, Routledge (McBurnie 86), Ayew, Abraham (Bartley 81).

Unused subs: Nordfeldt, Rangel, Roque Mesa, Narsingh.

Bookings: Fulton (90).

Goals: None.