Troy Deeney of Watford is challenged by Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on August 23, 2015 © Getty Images

The first big moment of the contest came 15 minutes in when Ikechi Anya used his pace to burst down the right and put a cross into the box, which just about evaded a telling touch from Troy Deeney in the middle.

Southampton began to show more signs of growing into the match, but they were essentially a man down with Manchester United-linked winger Sadio Mane struggling from an earlier knock.

Mane was eventually replaced by Shane Long midway through the half, and the Irishman almost made an instant impact when looking to pick out the bottom corner with a shot that was only kept out by the outstretched hand of Heurelho Gomes.

That came just moments after Jose Holebas saw a decent attempt of his own pushed aside by Maarten Stekelenburg up the other end, as the contest burst into life.

Shane Long of Southampton is challenged by Allan-Romeo Nyom of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on August 23, 2015 © Getty Images

Watford felt they should have had a penalty when Steven Caulker played a dangerous game by grabbing Deeney around the waist inside the box, yet referee Andre Marriner was quick to wave away appeals.

Long quickly grew into the half's most impressive performer, using his pace to set up a chance for Graziano Pelle to head wide, before seeing a header of his own deflect behind.

The best opening of the half fell to the Hornets five minutes before the interval, though, as Deeney teed up Odion Ighalo to slice wide of goal when in a promising position.