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Southampton hold Bournemouth but Manolo Gabbiadini blows chance of win

The Observer Premier League  Eddie Howe admitted Bournemouth were below their best as they stuttered to a goalless draw against Southampton. “I don’t think we really got going. It’s frustrating from our perspective, we know we can play better than that,” he said. “We never had our fluency. We created a few chances, the best went our way but we didn’t capitalise on them.”  While Southampton played their part in a tight encounter, they have gone 385 minutes without finding the net. Mohamed Salah strike settles nervy Liverpool win over Huddersfield Read more  In a physical opening period, the Bournemouth full-back Adam Smith burst into the box but fluffed his attempt after receiving the ball back from Callum Wilson, while David Brooks later fired wide when well placed.  Pierre-Emile Højbjerg , who had earlier had a volley blocked, conjured the game’s first attempt on target in the 45th minute, although it was directed straight at Asmir Begovic.  The recalled Charlie Austin also had a sight of goal but after latching on to Højbjerg’s through ball the Southampton striker tried to round Begovic and dribbled the ball out of play.  Bournemouth, looking to extend their unbeaten home run to six league games, could have been ahead within a minute of the restart when Josh King glanced narrowly wide from Jefferson Lerma’s whipped cross.  Southampton’s hopes of breaking the deadlock seemed to rely entirely on Højbjerg and he was again thwarted by Begovic after unleashing a powerful volley that was tipped over. Kadeem Harris seals first win for Cardiff against a Fulham in freefall Read more  The hosts finally mustered a goal-bound effort with 18 minutes to go when Nathan Aké’s header from a Ryan Fraser corner was comfortably caught by Alex McCarthy.  Southampton ended strongly and went close to a breakthrough on three occasions. Shane Long’s thumping shot from a tight angle was blocked bravely by Begovic, before his fellow substitute Stuart Armstrong missed his kick from close range after the ball fell to him in the box.  Manolo Gabbiadini, the third player introduced from the bench by Mark Hughes, had a golden opportunity in stoppage time but headed over with the goal gaping following Nathan Redmond’s cross.  “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.” Premier League The Observer Bournemouth Southampton match reports Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Google+ Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger Reuse this content