Quique Sanchez Flores's charges created some decent openings, but they themselves had to settle for a goalless draw against a Saints side with just one win in their last nine top-flight outings.

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.

Manager of Southampton Ronald Koeman looks on during the Barclays premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on August 23, 2015 © Getty Images

Watford felt that 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.

Alessandro Diamanti was brought on at the break for his home debut to provide some added verve to the home side's attack, yet it was the Saints who came closest to opening the scoring when Gomes got across to push aside Pelle's header.

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 continued to look lively, though, and they were only denied a breakthrough goal when Etienne Capoue failed to find the net after meeting Deeney's flick-on.

Diamanti did have a chance to make an instant impact at his new club, firing the ball harmlessly over the bar from 30 yards out, while Victor Wanyama then failed to make the desired contact on his long-range drive.

The chances soon dried up and, another shot-to-nothing from Long aside, there was nothing much to separate the two when the full-time whistle sounded.

Watford - themselves still seeking a maiden win of the campaign - climb up to 11th place in the league table with this stalemate, while Southampton are down in 18th.