Watford 0-0 Southampton

Graziano Pelle (left) and Etienne Capoue had the best chances for their sides

Watford and Southampton served up an uninspiring draw as they both remain without a league win after three games of the top-flight season.

Hornets midfielder Etienne Capoue had the best chance of the game only to head over from two yards.

Ikechi Anya also sent in a dangerous cross for Watford striker Odion Ighalo but he failed to connect.

Graziano Pelle had a rare Saints chance but his angled shot was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Relive Watford's draw against Southampton

Europa League hangover?

To say this was not a classic would be a bit of an understatement as both sides lacked a goal threat and cancelled each other out.

Southampton drew 1-1 in the first leg of a Europa League qualifier at home to Danish side FC Midtjylland on Thursday and lacked an attacking spark, especially after forward Sadio Mane went off injured early on.

Following this performance, Saints manager Ronald Koeman may be concerned at the impact of combining the demands of a domestic season with a European campaign if they qualify for the group phase of the Europa League.

On the plus side, Koeman employed a formation using three centre-backs and his side kept their first clean sheet in nine Premier League games.

Wasteful Watford

The Hornets scored 91 goals in the Championship last season as they achieved promotion but have yet to get off the mark in two home games this campaign.

Chances were at a premium in this game and when they did come the home side's way they lacked the ruthlessness to take them.

Anya twice delivered threatening crosses into the Southampton six-yard box in the first half and the first evaded everyone while the second went through the legs of Ighalo at the far post.

The heatmap shows Watford failed to mount a serious threat on the Southampton goal (left)

Man of the match - Ikechi Anya (Watford)

There were not many who caught the eye but Ikechi Anya gets it as he was the player with the most attacking intent

Manager reaction

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores:

"We tried to win but it was impossible. They changed their plan and it was difficult.

"We had maybe two or three chances. It was difficult to create opportunities because they played well and defended with five players."

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman:

"We played a little bit different than the first two games because we had to be defensively better. In my opinion, it always starts at the back and at least we had our first clean sheet of the season.

"One of the key points of last season was that we had a strong defensive organisation."

Southampton's Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama have been linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively but Koeman added: "We know have to deal with speculation over our players.

"Again, no-one is for sale. Everyone stays at Southampton. We want to bring in another defender."

The stats you need to know

• Watford failed to have a shot on target in this match, with all 13 of their efforts being blocked or off target.

• Troy Deeney has only scored two goals in his last 11 appearances for Watford.

• The Saints have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (won one, drew three, lost five), but this was their first clean sheet in that run.

What next?

Watford will travel to Preston on Tuesday for a League Cup second-round match. Southampton face a trip to Denmark to play FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday with the tie poised at 1-1.