In an opening game where the two men in the spotlight were absent, Southampton and Swansea City found themselves sorely lacking star quality in a goalless stalemate.
All the talk around these clubs this summer has centred on the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Here, neither played — and those that did shut each other out.
Southampton created plenty of chances but lacked a clinical edge, while Swansea were often camped in their own half and looked devoid of creativity. Not a great preview for a new season of potential success for either side.