Ian Cranson
Fomer Stoke defender on BBC Radio Stoke

It's no more what Stoke have deserved, we've played well and we've got our reward for it.

It was on target and the keeper's got to save it but we'll take it.

What a chance for 2-0.

Some slick approach play from Saints as Ross Stewart slides right for Flynn Downes who opts not to shoot from an angle and unselfishly squares for Finn Azaz in the middle, eight yards out, on his right foot, but he can only side-foot tamely past the far post.

What a let-off for the visitors.

OOOH. Just for a moment Blades full-back Harrison Burrows' heart will have been in his mouth.

He raced across to try and cut off a pass to Tom Fellows on the right of the box but goes in with his wrong foot, doesn't get the ball, and seems to get a little of Fellows who tries to stay on his feet but tumbles to ground as the ball rolls over the dead ball line.

Ref Thomas Kirk says goal kick. If Fellows had made more of it he might not have done.

Here's something for Boro to get their teeth into.

Ashley Phillips tugs back Tommy Conway to concede a foul just a little outside the penalty area in a decent place for a direct hit.

Left-back Matt Targett takes but whacks it right into the wall. As you were.

Watford have woken up a bit and Giorgi Chakvetadze has seen a 20-yard effort deflect narrowly past the base of the post while Luca Kjerrumgaard got on the end of a Jeremy Ngakia cross only to lash over the bar from 10 yards out.

Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent

It's been a good start from Pompey, especially away from home. I think there could be some good chances had here

They've got to be careful and they can't take for granted with how they've started because football can change very quickly.

Boro's Adilson Malanda has already made amends for his earlier mistake by making a crucial interception on Sorba Thomas' arrowed cross, flashing across goal towards a lurking Lamine Cisse.

The hosts looking far more dangerous than their third placed visitors in these early stages.

Leo Scienza curls a right-wing corner onto the head of Ross Stewart on the penalty spot and his flashing header is destined for the corner until Oli Arblaster, on the post, dives to head it behind for another corner.

Image source, PA

It, predictably, is a cold, wet night in Stoke and things are still warming up.

Boro winter signing Adilson Malanda makes a fumble at the back to allow a chance for Stoke but it is soon squashed.

A little while later Lamine Cisse is picked out on the front lines but makes his run that little bit soon to see the offside flag lifted.

Saints look a little tentative at the back, perhaps as a result of the seven-game winless streak they are on, but Blades are first to every loose ball in the Southampton half at present.

There was a nervy punch from Daniel Peretz too as Harrison Burrows' deflected cross looped towards him under no real pressure.

A slick break from the Blades ends with Tatith Chong bearing in on goal from the right of the box but his low cross is too close to Daniel Peretz, who parries away at the near post, with the defence able to hack away.

The visitors are building a head of steam, however and have won a couple of corners in quick succession.

Adrian Segecic channels his inner Johann Cruyff for Portsmouth with a neat turn in the box near the byline and bustles towards goal but Hornets keeper Egil Selvik is quickly off his line to dive at the Australian's feet.

Boots laced, lights on.

The showdown between promotion-chasers Stoke and Middlesbrough has commenced.

A wicked free-kick from deep on the Saints left from Leo Scienza almost leads to a chance, with his swirling delivery of great interest to Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the far post, who can't get a touch, with Jack Stephens unmarked just behind him only able to see the ball skid out of play off the slick surface.

Dan George
BBC Sport at St Mary's

Southampton won't care that it wasn't pretty but they're ahead in this game thanks to the hard work by Leo Scienza who has been outstanding for the Saints so far this campaign.

After Southampton take the lead it prompts the fans to start singing "we're coming for you..." about their bitter rivals Portsmouth who they face on Sunday.

That should be a tasty affair at Fratton Park!

Image source, Getty Images

Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent

Portsmouth have started really well, they've been the better of the two teams, but Watford will know what they're doing, they'll get into the game. When you are on top you've got to take your chances.

Not the most scintillating start to a game, but on his debut Ebou Adams is endearing himself to the Pompey fans.

He's been all-action and has seen a shot deflected wide, while another new face in Blue, Milli Alli, has also seen a 25-yard dip deflected off-target for a corner.

Encouraging from the visitors...