Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino faces fan revolt as goals still won't come at home to Watford

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In the 92nd minute at St Mary's, Cedric Soares took aim from 30 yards and planted a tame shot into the gloves of Heurelho Gomes.

It was met by the loudest cheer of the afternoon from the Southampton fans, an ironic appreciation that their shot-shy side had finally mustered an effort on target.

Not that many of the home faithful had stayed that long. The exodus began when Daryl Janmaat doubled Watford's lead midway through the second-half and jeers greeted the final whistle from those who stuck it out.

Southampton are facing a fans' revolt after losing to Watford 2-0 at home in tepid style

You couldn't blame them for venting frustrations - this was a film they'd seen before. The Saints have failed to score in nine of their last 12 Premier League matches, including three of four this season.

The beginning of Mauricio Pellegrino's tenure is starting to look very familiar to the end of Claude Puel's when it comes to going forward. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Manolo Gabbiadini spent 69 minutes hopelessly isolated in attack, the Italian's lightning start of six goals in his first four Southampton appearances now a distant memory.

Manolo Gabbiadini struggled in front of goal mainly due to the lack of service he was getting

Gabbiadini touched the ball just 10 times on Saturday and two of those were to kick-off. Shane Long and Charlie Austin were thrown on to chase the game late on, but proved equally ineffective.

Nathan Redmond struggled all afternoon, while James Ward-Prowse went off at half-time. Southampton are toothless, yet Pellegrino didn't pursue a striker during the transfer window and sold Jay Rodriguez to West Brom.

Captain Steven Davis understood the boos that greeted the final whistle: 'Look, they've paid their money. They're entitled to their opinion. But they're like ourselves in the dressing room.

Saints captain Steven Davis said that he could sympathise with the frustrated supporters

'Everyone's disappointed and I think that's the biggest frustration. We weren't at the races and Watford deserved the three points. We will show our true qualities at Crystal Palace [next week].'

The Virgil van Dijk transfer saga distracted Southampton for most of the summer and, though his move to Liverpool didn't go through, the Dutchman was absent here.

Pellegrino says Van Dijk lacks match fitness and he'll play with the under-23 side at Aston Villa on Monday.

No such problems for Watford, who sat fourth on Saturday night after long-range strikes by Abdoulaye Doucoure and Janmaat earned a comfortable victory on the south coast.

Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring Watford's first goal of the afternoon

It continued their unbeaten league start under new boss Marco Silva, though that will be tested against Manchester City on Saturday.

Silva encountered Pep Guardiola when his Olympiacos drew Bayern Munich in the 2015-16 Champions League.

Bayern won 3-0 in Greece and 4-0 at home. 'It was better days for him,' joked Silva when reminded of his previous meetings with Guardiola.

But the way Doucoure combined with Tom Cleverley and Nathaniel Chalobah in midfield will give Watford optimism. Doucoure was excellent here, omnipresent as he broke up attacks and got Watford moving forward.

'In the Premier League nobody knows me,' said the Frenchman. 'I want to be one of the best, but I have to show like today, a performance like this.

'I almost went to Lorient [last season] but the transfer was cancelled so I am happy to stay. I want to show my qualities and that's it.'