REPORT: Southampton and West Ham toothless in goalless Premier League draw

A toothless Southampton battled to a second straight goalless draw after drawing 0-0 with West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Saints, however, were without boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who had to manage the game from isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test within his family.

The hosts were bolstered by the return of Danny Ings and made a fast start with both forward players creating chances inside the opening seven minutes.

Che Adams flashed a shot on target moments before Ings hit the back of the net only for the goal to be called back for offside.

The rest of the match was void of true intent, despite a flurry of second half changes from either side.

Ryan Fredericks had West Ham’s best chance in the closing stages of the fist half, but his free header was straight in the grasp of Alex McCarthy.

Southampton got away with a late lapse at the back when McCarthy denied Said Benrahma from point blank after Jack Stephens was unable to fully clear his lines.

West Ham and Southampton combined for just 17 total shots with only six finding the target.

Southampton, who have slipped to ninth in the table with just one win in their last five outings, are without a goal since Theo Walcott scored in the 18th minute at Arsenal back on December 16.

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Djenepo (Armstrong 78), Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott; Adams (Long 58), Ings

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

Goals: None

Bookings: Bertrand (40), Djenepo (72), Walker-Peters (76)

West Ham (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Creswell, Ogbonna, Dawson, Fredericks; Rice; Formals, Soucek, Lanzini (Benrahma 60), Yarmolenko (Bowen 72), Haller (Antonio 77)

Unused subs: Randolph (GK) Johnson, Noble, Snodgrass, Coufal, Diop

Goals: None

Bookings: Yarmolenko (67)