New Premier League managers Claude Puel and Walter Mazzarri started off their Southampton and Watford reigns with a draw after their game finished 1-1 at St Mary's.
Watford were perhaps the better of the two in the first half, but it was all Southampton in the second thanks to Ben Watson's sending off and an inspired display from new signing Nathan Redmond "? who scored the equaliser for Puel's men.
Southampton started the game on the front foot, with Heurelho Gomes having to make a great double save early on to deny the Saints from taking the lead after Dusan Tadic fired in a dangerous ball towards goal from a free-kick.
Despite Southampton's early dominance, it was Watford who took the lead in the 9th minute after Etienne Capoue found Troy Deeney's headed knock down before blasting the ball into the back of the net to put the away side ahead.
Etienne Capoue celebrates his first competitive Watford goal. Troy Deeney with the assist.
And the hug. pic.twitter.com/xg4c3Huh6A
Watford really started to play with confidence after Capoue's goal, managing to get a passing game going, in contrast to Southampton, who were looking to play Shane Long in early from deep with long-range passes.
Long was eventually presented with Southampton's best chance since the opening minutes of the game at around the 30 minute mark "? thanks to some good footwork from Tadic "? but the Irishman was unable to head in Tadic's eventual cross.
Watford later received an injury scare when it appeared that Gomes had possibly pulled his hamstring after making a clearance. But the Brazlian goalkeeper was ok to continue after receiving treatment.
Southampton started the second half in the same manner as they started the first, dominating possession and creating chances.
As the half went on, Puel's men continued to apply the pressure and, just before the hour mark, the home side found themselves level after Redmond took advantage of Gomes' failure to deal with a corner by poking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.
58: GOOOOOOAL! REDMOND! #saintsfc [1-1] pic.twitter.com/3tqTS9gNLW
If things were not difficult enough for the Hornets, substitute Ben Watson was sent off for bringing down Long in the 75th minute during a Southampton counter-attack.
Southampton looked to make their one-man advantage count, attacking Watford's goal relentlessly, and they came close to taking the lead only for Redmond's well-taken finish to be ruled out for offside late in the match.
But Watford managed to hang on in the end, despite being down to 10 men, and ultimately secure a point.
Southampton line-up:
The teams are in!
Here's how #SaintsFC will line up for this afternoon's #PL opener against #WatfordFC: pic.twitter.com/ctaiwfmVap
Watford line-up:
TEAM NEWS: Injured pair Djedje (foot) & Success (leg) not involved for #watfordfc at @SouthamptonFC this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/H3fKDeKiRF