Great delivery from Matt Targett and it looked like Danny Ings was about to nod it goalwards from the edge of the six-yard box, but it just drifts beyond the Southampton forward.

Couple of inches lower and that Christmas wish might have been answered immediately...

Dear Santa,

Is it too late to ask for goals in the second half of Southampton v West Ham?

The Saints get this one back under way...

Image source, AFP

Image source, Opta

Felt like Declan Rice was everywhere in that first half, so here's the West Ham midfielder's heat map - almost everywhere...

James, Eastbourne: I don't think you will see a worse half of forward play in the Premier League this season.

Zeus in Winchester: Simon @20:27. Don't Hasenhuttl the Hoff.

Chris, Herts: Hasenhuttl might not have been in Baywatch, but Anderson certainly was...

Image source, Getty Images

This game started off at a frantic pace but, bar that Lucas Perez miss, neither side has really looked like scoring... saving all the goals for the second half?!

Joe Trott: Danny Ings needs to stop constantly moaning and start trying to play. At the moment offering nothing more than a big mouth.

Mark Taylor: Re; 20:27. Simon should be sent 'hoff' for such a remark. No hassle...

Harsh...

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have had five shots, with each shot coming from a different player - but only one was on target.

Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

There's been some nice stuff from both sides. It's been a pretty even game, but Southampton might be a bit disappointed by their lack of creativity. Declan Rice has been the standout. He's a very good reader of the game. He's picked up every second ball. He looks a very accomplished young man.

Image source, AFP

And that's the break.

Good football from Southampton, but again no end product.

Oriol Romeu did well to pinch the ball back outside the box and slide Danny Ings into the area, but the striker's cut-back could only find a blue shirt.

West Ham dart down the other end and Robert Snodgrass tries his luck, but can't find the target.

Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live

You can see why it's 0-0, given the way Southampton are playing. When they get into good areas, there are very few people who want to take a chance. Ralph Hasenhuttl may have to take Lemina or Romeu off and put on someone more willing to get there. West Ham have looked the team more likely to score.

Michail Antonio fancies a go from distance, but his effort travels all of five yards before slapping against team-mate Grady Diangana and deflecting out of play - sure the young winger will have appreciated that on a cold night at St Mary's.

Simon: Wasn't Hasenhuttl in Baywatch?

Close. But no.

Image source, Getty Images

Felipe Anderson goes scampering into the Southampton half and stings a ball into Grady Diangana, but the West Ham winger is almost gobbled up by Jannik Vestergaard inside the box and his heavy touch rolls out of play. Boots like concrete for a moment there.

BBC Radio 5 live

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, you may have heard, is a decent piano player. Over on Radio 5 live, John Murray and Steve Claridge are discussing this.

John Murray: That's the way you get on in management in Germany. You get out the grand piano and you perform the odd recital. Where do you keep your grand piano, Steve?

Steve Claridge: Very well hidden, unfortunately.

John Murray: Can you play a musical instrument?

Steve Claridge: Can I play a musical instrument? The only attempt I made was on a flute. If that constitutes a musical instrument, I've no idea.

John Murray: It does. It absolutely does.

Steve Claridge: Unsuccessfully, I might add.

West Ham have to scramble back to fend off that Southampton counter attack, which they do well, and then set off on a break of their own...

This has suddenly become end-to-end stuff, need a breather.

Crucially, neither side can make their attacks count.

No he won't.

He tries to drill it to the edge of the box instead, Beckham-Scholes style (or Anderton-Sheringham, if you prefer more niche references...) but it's easily headed away and Southampton counter.

Declan Rice showing composure in the middle of the field to break up a Southampton attack, round a Saints defender and then set his own side on the attack.

Michail Antonio wins a free-kick in a dangerous position to the right of the box.

Felipe Anderson will whip it...

Almost... Matt Targett spots Mario Lemina darting through the West Ham defence from deep, but the wing-back's pass is just overhit and runs on to Lukasz Fabianski.