REPORT: Southampton held to a goalless draw at Fulham

Southampton and Fulham battled their way to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.

Southampton was without a trio of starters, including Danny Ings and Yannik Vestergaard, who missed out through injury, and Oriol Romeu through yellow card accumulation.

Each side carved out two quality chances in quick succession in what was otherwise a flat opening half on Boxing Day.

Ademola Lookman picked out of a free Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the box, but the winger was unable to swing his foot through the ball for a huge left off for Saints.

Fulham then escaped danger moments later when James Ward-Prowse struck the crossbar from a free-kick, before Che Adams was fooled by the spin of the ball as he charge onto the rebound.

Shane Long had a half chance with a volley from distance in the second half, but Alphonse Areola calmly pushed the ball over the bar.

It was let off for Saints with Jan Bednarek nearly directing Ademola Lookman’s shot into his own net, though the defender found the opposite side of the post.

Long, who was denied his first Premier League goal since February, and Theo Walcott each had goals pulled back for offside in the final 15 minutes with Saints unable to find a breakthrough.

Fulham (3-5-2): Areola; Adarabioyo, Anderson, Aina; Robinson, Zambo Anguissa, Reed, Loftus-Cheek, De Cordova-Reid (Mitrovic 83); Lookman, Cavaleiro

Unused subs: Rodak (GK), Odoi, Cairney, Ream, Hector, Kebano, Bryan, Kamara

Goals: None

Bookings: De Cordova-Reid (38), Anguissa (75)

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Walcott, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Djenepo 90+3); Adams, Long (N’Lundulu 90+1)

Unused subs: Forster (GK), Valery, Salisu, Vokins, Smallbone, Obafemi, Tella

Goals: None

Bookings: None