Premier League
HuddersfieldHuddersfield Town0SouthamptonSouthampton0

Huddersfield Town 0-0 Southampton

By Emma SandersBBC Sport
Steve Mounie
Huddersfield's Steve Mounie has scored two goals in three Premier League games

Huddersfield briefly moved top of the Premier League as they played out a goalless draw with Southampton.

The Terriers had the best of the chances as they looked to extend their 100% start to the season, with Rajiv van la Parra, Steve Mounie and Elias Kachunga all having opportunities

But they ultimately had defender Tommy Smith to thank for saving a point with a goalline clearance from Ryan Bertrand's injury-time header.

Three games into their first Premier League season, Huddersfield are ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.

But having gone top when their match finished, they were usurped by Manchester United after their win over Leicester later in the day.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, meanwhile, has made an unbeaten start in the Premier League with two draws and one victory.

Terriers keep it clean - again

David Wagner 'happy & proud of humble' Terriers

Huddersfield have opened the league season with three successive clean sheets - only the second time a promoted side have done so after Charlton achieved the feat in 1997.

Few would have predicted their flying start to the campaign, but David Wagner's side have been a breath of fresh air.

"We have three clean sheets in the Premier League so I am very proud," said Wagner.

"We will go into this international break with a smile on our face.

"We wanted to show that we are brave. I am very happy."

Saints solid without Van Dijk

The visitors may not have made the most convincing start to the game, but they remain unbeaten in the league this season.

And, were it not for Smith's late clearance, they would have stolen all three points, taking them - not the hosts - level on points with Manchester City.

While much of the attention has been focused on the future of defender Virgil van Dijk, the Saints have made a steady start under Pellegrino.

Despite Huddersfield having nine first-half shots, they showed defensive solidity, and will hope to welcome back the Dutchman once the transfer window shuts this week.

Man of the match - Rajiv van la Parra (Huddersfield)

Rajiv van La Parra
The Huddersfield midfielder ran the show in the first half and created a number of chances

'It could have been none, one or three points' - reaction

Huddersfield manager David Wagner: "I was happy how brave we were in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't score and this is why we have to accept the 0-0.

"There were some good blocks and saves. We missed opportunities. Southampton had the best chances in the second half.

"It was an unbelievable save on the goalline [from Tommy Smith]."

Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton: Mauricio Pellegrino pleased by Saints fighting spirit

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino: "We have to think about what we can do to be better in the next game. We have to keep going. Huddersfield are now really high. They are in a good moment.

"We had chances in the last 15-20 minutes and put them under pressure. There were moments for us and moments for them.

"It could have been three points, one point or none. It was tough from the beginning."

Forster remains strong - the stats

  • Southampton are unbeaten in the Premier League after three games for only the second time in their history.
  • Since the start of 2015-16, Southampton have recorded more 0-0 draws than any other PL team (12 - one ahead of Man Utd).
  • Huddersfield are only the second promoted side to keep a clean sheet in each of their three opening games since Charlton Athletic.
  • It is the first time since 1965-66 they have kept a clean sheet in each of their opening three games to a league season.
  • Southampton have failed to score in eight of their past 11 Premier League games, scoring just seven goals from 144 shots in these matches (4.9%).
  • Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Fraser Forster has kept 35 clean sheets in the Premier League - more than any other English goalkeeper.

What's next?

Following the international break, Huddersfield travel to London Stadium to face West Ham on Monday, 11 September at 20:00 BST. The Saints host Watford two days prior to that (15:00).

Line-ups

Huddersfield

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lössl
  • 2Smith
  • 25M Jorgensen
  • 26Schindler
  • 15Löwe
  • 10Mooy
  • 8BillingSubstituted forWilliamsat 61'minutes
  • 9KachungaSubstituted forQuanerat 88'minutes
  • 22Ince
  • 17van La ParraSubstituted forPalmerat 56'minutes
  • 24Mounie

Substitutes

  • 3Malone
  • 13Coleman
  • 18Lolley
  • 19Williams
  • 23Quaner
  • 44Hefele
  • 45Palmer

Southampton

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 44Forster
  • 2Cédric Soares
  • 5Stephens
  • 3Yoshida
  • 21Bertrand
  • 18LeminaSubstituted forLongat 64'minutes
  • 14RomeuBooked at 45mins
  • 11TadicSubstituted forMcQueenat 74'minutes
  • 8Davis
  • 22Redmond
  • 20GabbiadiniSubstituted forWard-Prowseat 71'minutes

Substitutes

  • 6Hoedt
  • 7Long
  • 10Austin
  • 13McCarthy
  • 16Ward-Prowse
  • 19Boufal
  • 38McQueen
Referee:
Stuart Attwell
Attendance:
23,548

Match Stats

Home TeamHuddersfieldAway TeamSouthampton
Possession
Home45%
Away55%
Shots
Home16
Away6
Shots on Target
Home6
Away3
Corners
Home5
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Southampton 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Southampton 0.

  3. Post update

    Offside, Southampton. James Ward-Prowse tries a through ball, but Oriol Romeu is caught offside.

  4. Post update

    Nathan Redmond (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Collin Quaner (Huddersfield Town).

  6. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Shane Long with a cross.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Collin Quaner replaces Elias Kachunga.

  8. Post update

    Offside, Southampton. Nathan Redmond tries a through ball, but Sam McQueen is caught offside.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. Nathan Redmond (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Shane Long.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tom Ince.

  11. Post update

    Oriol Romeu (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Danny Williams (Huddersfield Town).

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Danny Williams (Huddersfield Town) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Kasey Palmer with a cross following a corner.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Jack Stephens.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kasey Palmer (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Ince.

  16. Post update

    Attempt saved. Tom Ince (Huddersfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tommy Smith.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. Sam McQueen replaces Dusan Tadic.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Nathan Redmond (Southampton).

  19. Post update

    Tommy Smith (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. James Ward-Prowse replaces Manolo Gabbiadini.

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As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Man Utd3300100109
2Huddersfield32104047
3Man City32105237
4West Brom22002026
5Watford31205325
6Southampton31203215
7Liverpool21104314
8Everton21102114
9Swansea311124-24
10Tottenham21013213
11Arsenal21014403
12Chelsea21014403
13Burnley21013303
14Newcastle31023303
15Stoke21011103
16Leicester310256-13
17Brighton301204-41
18Bournemouth300315-40
19Crystal Palace300306-60
20West Ham3003210-80
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