STOKE: Stoke players dug deep and rode their luck as Southampton failed to capitalize on Marko Arnautovic's early sending off in a one-sided 0-0 draw in the English Premier League on Wednesday.

Mark Hughes' 400th match as a Premier League manager looked set to end in disappointment when referee Anthony Taylor handed out a straight red card in the 23rd minute to Arnautovic for a challenge on Sofiane Boufal.

Anger at the sending off grew after Southampton striker Shane Long appeared to elbow Bruno Martins Indi off the ball without punishment in a tempestuous clash.

However, Arnautovic's early departure did not cost Stoke against a Southampton side that was devoid of a killer instinct.

The visitors were dominating before Arnautovic's red card but the absence of top scorer Charlie Austin was glaring — a worrying sign given that the striker could be out for four months.

Southampton peppered Stoke's goal throughout the second half yet was unable to find a winner, with substitute Jay Rodriguez somehow failing to turn home from Boufal's cross.

Southampton is ninth in the standings, while Stoke is a point behind in 12th.