Southampton rallies for 1-1 draw with Watford

It was all square on day one of the Premier League season as Southampton and Watford drew 1-1 in a pulsating encounter at St. Mary's.

Nathan Redmond spared the Saints' blushes with a superbly taken volley in the 68th minute after Watford had dominated play before the break. The visitors had seized the lead in only the ninth minute when Odion Ighalo crossed to the back post, Troy Deeney headed down and Etienne Capoue steamed into the box to slam home a half-volley.

Watford kept up the pressure until halftime but couldn't extend their lead, and Southampton emerged from the dressing room renewed, their efforts soon bearing fruit when Heurelho Gomes' punch from a corner fell kindly to Redmond, who lashed home with aplomb.

Watford gave themselves a tough last few minutes after Ben Watson was sent off in the 76th minute for hacking down Shane Long, who had raced through on goal on the counter-attack, and the Saints stepped up the pressure. Redmond had the ball in the back of the net after latching onto a Dusan Tadic through ball, but the effort was ruled out for offside, while Jeremy Pied and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also missed close.

It was a fine start to the new campaign for the Hornets, who played some excellent football, but less so for Claude Puel's team playing at home. In the end the result was a fair one, with much more to come from both clubs this season.