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Southampton ground out a goalless draw against Burnley to pick up the new Premier League season where they left off the last.<\/p>\nSouthampton ground out a goalless draw against Burnley to pick up the new Premier League season where they left off the last.<\/p>\n
Jack Cork and Burnley will no doubt contest the offside call that denied the former Saints midfielder a first-half breakthrough.<\/p>\n
But, beyond that chalked-off finish, this St Mary\u2019s Stadium clash lacked the final-third quality for either side to wrestle victory.<\/p>\n
Southampton have now trudged through just one home win in 12 league matches, dating back to late November.<\/p>\n
New recruits Danny Ings and Mohamed Elyounoussi added impetus off the bench, but still a killer instinct continues to elude Mark Hughes\u2019 south coast men.<\/p>\n
Winchester-born striker Ings pressed and probed in his first Saints foray since joining on loan from Liverpool, but never in truth came that close to breaking the deadlock.<\/p>\n
The visitors could well look back and accept a hard-fought point all told, especially amid their continued European adventures.<\/p>\n
Sean Dyche\u2019s men grafted for a goalless draw at Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday, and will be back in action against the Turks in the Europa League qualifying third-round second leg in midweek.<\/p>\n
Burnley made light of that hectic schedule to take immediate control, penning Saints into their own half for the opening quarter-hour.<\/p>\n
Former Saints midfielder Cork thought he had drawn first blood only for a contentious offside call to keep the game scoreless.<\/p>\n
Aaron Lennon ought to have blasted Burnley into the lead minutes later, but instead he fired straight against Alex McCarthy\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n
Mario Lemina drew a smart save from Burnley\u2019s Premier League debutent Joe Hart, but Saints remained disjointed and disorganized.<\/p>\n
Cork\u2019s fine lofted ball set Johann Berg Gudmundsson free, only for another loose finish to follow.<\/p>\n
And then the unmarked Jeff Hendrick\u2019s header lacked the venom to test McCarthy.<\/p>\n
New boys Ings and Elyounoussi were summoned from the bench just after the break, with full debutent Stuart Armstrong forced off with a knock.<\/p>\n
The double switch swung the momentum Saints\u2019 way, with Ings bright from the off.<\/p>\n
The Liverpool loanee was snapped up in the transfer window\u2019s final throes as Saints desperately seek more Premier League goals.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old almost conjured an early assist courtesy of a fine whipped cross. Jack Stephens\u2019 defender\u2019s finish let Burnley off the hook however.<\/p>\n
Lemina saw another header saved by Hart as Saints continued to press and Ings continued to threaten.<\/p>\n
But, despite the new faces, the new strategies and renewed hope of a fresh campaign, Saints are still suffering the same old worries.<\/p>\n