Premier League: Bournemouth and Southampton play out stalemate
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Southampton have recorded just one win in their opening nine Premier League games
Southampton's goalless draw at Bournemouth was a "statement" according to Saints boss Mark Hughes, whose side ended their Premier League losing streak.
The visitors had lost three consecutive games before meeting their south coast neighbours at Vitality Stadium, including a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in their last fixture.
"It was important to give a bit more of a statement," said Hughes. "We were all disappointed with what we were able to produce against Chelsea.
"It seems a long time since that game and it was important that we came back after the international break and showed what we were about. The back four were very good for us, they set the tone."
By ending their poor run, the Saints also halted the Cherries' run of three straight league and cup victories.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, Bournemouth started brightly with left-back Adam Smith unable to convert after a charging run and exchange of passes with Callum Wilson.
Southampton's best opportunities fell to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who twice tested home goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from distance.
And, in a late flurry of chances, Begovic smothered Stuart Armstrong's effort from a Shane Long knockdown, before Nathan Ake lost his marker but powered a header straight at Alex McCarthy from a Cherries corner.
But when Saints substitute Manolo Gabbiadini saw a looping header find the roof of the net in five added minutes, the match looked destined to end in a draw.
"Clearly we did enough to win the game." Hughes said. "We had three or four clear-cut chances that on another day you want to take. We'll take a point and build from here."
The result means Bournemouth remain sixth in the table, with 17 points to show from nine games, while Southampton's first point since 17 September leaves Hughes' side 16th with six points.
Fresh outlook for Cherries
Bournemouth have won seven of their last 11 league games
Goalless games involving Bournemouth are something of a collector's item - the last came 11 months ago in a draw at Swansea City.
The wait for another should have been extended - not least when Ake's forceful header found McCarthy's gloves rather than the back of the visitors' net with time running out.
But while Eddie Howe will be slightly disappointed to have not marked the sixth anniversary of his return to manage the Cherries for a second spell with a win, there are plenty of positives with almost a quarter of the league season played.
Not only do his side find themselves in a lofty position in the league, they are tightening up at the back.
Only three clubs conceded more than the 61 goals let in by Bournemouth last season - the drawback to the expansive style of play employed by Howe.
But this Southampton stalemate means back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since November for the Cherries, who have also won seven of their last 11 league games.
And in avoiding defeat, they set a Premier League club record by extending their unbeaten home run to six matches. Maybe goalless draws are not so bad after all?
Saints' slump continues
Southampton can also take satisfaction in claiming a clean sheet - not least given they had lost their last three league games by an aggregate score of 0-8.
Indeed, they also avoided losing four in a row without scoring for the first time since 1993 with this result.
But therein lies the problem... a fourth game without scoring. The last time the Saints endured such a long dry spell in front of goal was the 2004-05 season, which ended in relegation - a cautionary tale that strikes a bit too close to home.
There are tricky, strong and skilful players in attack for Southampton - a fact evidenced by only Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham having had more shots than Saints' 125 so far this campaign.
But if winning and losing can be defined as habits, the same can surely apply to scoring as well.
The periphery of the relegation zone does not need to be the story of their season, but it will remain so, or worse, if Hughes' side do not find a clinical edge and improve on one win in nine soon.
'We executed the plan' - what they said
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:
Back-to-back clean sheets a positive - Howe
"I thought we were close to a win, we created a few chances, the best went our way but we didn't capitalise on them. Fair play to them to make a good contest of it. We'll take the point.
"Back-to-back clean sheets are huge positive, it is something we are trying to improve on, so it does us a world of good, the momentum is still with us."
Southampton boss Mark Hughes:
Not the result Southampton deserved - Mark Hughes
Southampton misfire again - the stats
Bournemouth have lost only one of their last nine home Premier League games (W5 D3) and are unbeaten in their last six at Vitality Stadium (W4 D2).
Southampton have failed to score in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since October 2004.
In all competitions, Southampton have lost only two of their last 15 games against Bournemouth (W8 D5 L2).
Southampton have won two of their 10 Premier League away games under Mark Hughes (D3 L5).
Bournemouth have taken 17 points from their nine Premier League games this season (W5 D2 D2), their highest total at this stage of the campaign.
Man of the match - Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth)
Although the home side had their chances, they were made to be grateful for four smart saves from Bosnia-Herzegovina international goalkeeper Asmir Begovic
What's next?
Bournemouth travel to Fulham on Saturday, 27 October in their next Premier League fixture (15:00 BST). On the same afternoon, Southampton welcome Newcastle United to St Mary's (also 15:00 BST).