Mauricio Pochettino's reign as Southampton manager has begun with a goalless draw at home to Champions League-chasers Everton.
© PA Photos
The former Espanyol boss replaced Nigel Adkins in the St Mary's hotseat on Friday and watched his side dominate the visitors in the opening period.
Top scorer Rickie Lambert struck the post with a bending 25-yard free kick before having two headers saved by Toffees keeper Tim Howard.
Centre-back Jos Hooiveld wasted what was arguably Southampton's clearest sight on goal when he struck a close-range effort straight at Howard's feet.
Phil Jagielka had earlier produced two fine pieces of defending to foil the lively Jason Puncheon, whose Lambert-bound cross was superbly intercepted by the England international.
© PA Photos
Jagielka also blocked a Puncheon drive that was travelling towards the bottom corner, but it was Southampton who did most of the defending in the second half.
The introduction of Victor Anichebe from the Everton bench sparked life into the visitors and his good work should have led to an opener on the hour mark.
A low cross from the Nigerian found Nikica Jelavic unmarked, but the striker missed his shot completely and the ball bounced away off his standing leg.
Anichebe then forced Saints stopper Artur Boruc into a fine low save with his left-footed strike and the Pole was called into a reflex stop moments later to palm away Marouane Fellaini's header.
Lambert nearly snatched Southampton maximum points late on but his header looped onto the top of the net as both sides recorded back-to-back draws.
