Southampton's flawless home record in the Championship is over after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers at St Mary's. The Saints were left to rue a series of missed opportunities and a strong penalty appeal that was waved away.
Tonda Eckert made six changes to his side, welcoming back regulars James Bree, Leo Scienza and top scorer Cyle Larin. Cameron Bragg also returned from a one-match suspension. The hosts started brightly, with Scienza firing a chance over the bar inside the first four minutes. Larin's afternoon was cut short, however, as he hobbled off injured before the break, replaced by Lewis Dobbin.
Chances come and go
Scienza remained a constant threat, seeing a skidding shot held by Bolton's Gavin Bazunu. After the interval, substitute Kuryu Matsuki played a brilliant pass to send Dobbin clear, but the forward's low shot whistled wide of the post. The major flashpoint arrived when a Scienza cross struck the raised hand of Bolton's Ruben Rodrigues inside the area. The officials deemed it not a penalty, a decision that incensed the home bench.
"There was a very clear situation on the cross and I think it is a clear penalty," said Eckert afterwards. His opposite number, Steven Schumacher, acknowledged his team's effort. "It was a massive effort from us to get something from the game," the Bolton boss said.
Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz was called into action late on to tip a Sam Dalby header over the bar, preserving a third clean sheet in a week for a defence that had previously gone without one in the league all season. The result leaves Southampton eighth in the Championship with 16 points from 10 games. Larin, who now has seven goals this season, will be a concern after his early departure.
The stalemate ends a run of five consecutive home league wins and sees Southampton's recent form shift to three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five outings. They now turn their attention to an away trip to face West Ham on 24 October. The squad will hope to have Flynn Downes, who was not fit to feature after coming off injured against Norwich, available again soon.
This story first appeared at southamptonfc.com
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher admitted his side got a moment of good fortune when a penalty appeal was waved away. "They would say that they had chances, and I think it was a penalty," Schumacher said of the incident involving Leo Scienza's cross and Ruben Rodrigues. The result, which leaves Southampton seventh with 17 points, ended the Saints' perfect home record.
The club's supporters have voiced their frustration following the stalemate. Saints fan Rod said, "We need a creative midfielder and a clever striker. January will be our last chance." The result leaves Southampton seventh in the Championship with 17 points from 11 games, having scored 21 goals this season. They are six points behind leaders Swansea.
