Middlesbrough, who lost their first four league games last season began this campaign with a goalless draw at Southampton.

Boro had chances to win the game with Alen Boksic just unable to get on the end of Carlos Marinelli's teasing cross.

New signing Massimo Maccarone was also denied by Southampton keeper Paul Jones inside the first two minutes of a match that represented a difficult introduction to Premiership football for the Italian.

But Middlesbrough, for whom captain Gareth Southgate was outstanding throughout, were fortunate not to concede a first-half goal.

Marian Pahars should have scored but his touch let him down, while Anders Svensson rounded Mark Schwarzer but shot wide of the empty net from a narrow angle.