Southampton’s Soufiane Boufal left to hold his head as Stoke escape

Time really is running out for Southampton and Stoke. This stalemate does few favours for either side, with both teams seemingly frozen with fear in a dour meeting of few clearcut chances. After Jack Butland’s error against Brighton last weekend, Paul Lambert’s side had the goalkeeper to thank for a couple of smart saves but Southampton’s attack was nothing short of slapstick in nature at times.

Saints supporters have had little to shout about on home turf for a while – they have won just four league games here in the past 13 months. This result meant a club-record eight winless Premier League games on the spin and, with nine games left – three of which are at home, including Manchester City on the last day of the season – the numbers are simply not adding up for Mauricio Pellegrino. Still, this stalemate at least keeps his side teetering above the relegation zone, where Stoke remain.

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