Southampton were unable to break down a stubborn West Brom in an entertaining goalless draw at St Mary's. Albion had the best of the first-half, with John Hartson's header drawing a fine save from Kelvin Davis in the opening minutes. Saints bossed the second half, and Bradley Wright-Phillips just failed to make contact with a low cross. Southampton defender Gareth Bale almost made it a hat-trick of free-kick goals in a week when he struck the post. Hartson's physical presence was a threat early on against a Southampton defence lacking height, but after Nathan Ellington limped off midway through the first half, the big Welsh striker lacked support. Wright-Phillips ended the first half in lively fashion, drawing a good save from Pascal Zuberbuhler, and then firing just wide after sprinting clear. Albion offered little going forward in the second half, which became a test of the Baggies' defensive resolve. Central defender Chris Baird wasted a good opportunity after a corner fell invitingly for him and Bale almost scored his third goal of the season when he curled a free-kick around the wall and against the post with Zuberbuhler rooted.
