A first-half to forget for Middlesbrough after a blunder from keeper Sol Brynn allows Stoke to take a 1-0 lead down the tunnel.

Stoke made the best of their brighter start after Tomas Rigo secured his first goal for the side with a simple effort that made Brynn blush as it eased past the stopper. Though the Englishman did make up for his error with a superb save to keep out Million Manhoef's smart strike.

Potters young keeper Tommy Simkin has suffered some struggles of his own, twice seeing the ball bounce into open space from some sloppy saves.

But Boro have been lax and those moments will be ones to rue at a later date. Especially so if they can't get themselves into this contest.

Morgan Whittaker doesn't hesitate this time as team-mate Matt Targett smashes in an effort from distance and Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin once again fails to control it.

The winger is soon onto the loose ball but Simkin is able to block it to ensure he's not punished for his mistake.

The 21-year-old stopper was brought back early from his loan spell with Leyton Orient to cover for injured Viktor Johansson before the side brought in emergency loanee Gavin Bazunu.

But with the Republic of Ireland international now also injured straight after his debut for the Potters, Simkin will need to get used to Championship life and fast.

While Stoke and Boro prepare to head off for an orange segment, we're getting back under way at St Mary's and Vicarage Road.

Just the one goal between them so far tonight, but there's more to come, surely?

Let's see...

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Middlesbrough haven't been at it. The quickness of play has been laboured and slow.

Give Stoke credit, they've kept their shape and right now we can't keep hold of the ball.

Aidan Morris' low drill towards goal proves a little tricky for Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin, who can't get a hold of the ball to see it rolling into space in the box.

It's a perfect opportunity for Boro to pounce on for an equaliser but it feels like it's free for an age until a Stoke player clears it out of danger.

Brian Howard
Former Sheffield United midfielder on BBC Radio Sheffield

There needs to be more danger from Sheffield United at the top end of the pitch.

I think Southampton have had the better chances. Michael Cooper made a massive save which was crucial to keep it at 1-0.

Southampton are a bit more fluent, particularly on the turnover. But there's stuff to take from this game and there's a lot for Chris Wilder to work with.

Image source, Getty Images

Yes, ok, it's 0-0, but it's not very 0-0.

Luca Kjerrumgaard fired over for the hosts who grew into the game after a bright start from the visitors while Othmane Maamma fired off target when he had better options late in the half.

Pompey have shown flashes in attack but they remain convinced they should have been awarded a penalty for a handball in the box by Jeremy Ngakia from a corner.

I am going to guarantee now this does not end 0-0. You have my word.

Ooph.

Boro keeper Sol Brynn denies a thunderous effort from Million Manhoef by his fingertips to see it ricochet off his gloves and onto the crossbar.

A far better strike than the stopper failed to save earlier. That goal must have given him quite the jolt because he's definitely got his eye on the ball now.

Image source, PA

Lively stuff on a grim night at St Mary's.

Leo Scienza's strike after seven minutes, which took a big deflection off Oli Arblaster, separates the teams, but both sides have had good spells and Michael Cooper's smart save denied Scienza his second shortly before the break.

Work for Chris Wilder to do in the next 15 minutes...

Lee Brown
Former Portsmouth defender on BBC Radio Solent

Watford are getting it all wrong on their press. Portsmouth are trying to exploit it and they are creating chances.

Actor and Blades fan Sean Bean is at St Mary's tonight.

I'm not sure he'll be too impressed with his side's first-half showing.

Image source, PA

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Middlesbrough have still yet to draw a save from Tommy Simkin in the Stoke goal who is making his fourth start this evening.

Leo Scienza once again, driving forward down the left after Ki-Jana Hoever's slip on halfway, all the way into the box and lashing in a low shot which Michael Cooper does brilliantly to block down low to his left, with a combination of the keeper and Harrison Burrows then preventing the rebound being poked home from six yards out.

Dan George
BBC Sport at St Mary's

Ross Stewart's return has been a welcome one for Southampton and he is already having an impact on this game.

The striker acts as a real focal point for the Saints midfield to aim towards and has held the ball up quite well so far.

He's just such a different player to the likes of Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer, and I think if he can stay fit he is their best option down the middle.

But as his injury record has shown so far through his Southampton career, that is a big if.

Action at both ends as Pompey want a penalty after a ball appeared to hit Jeremy Ngakia's arm in the box from a corner.

Nothing doing, however, and down the other end Othmane Maamma is slipped through by Giorgi Chakvetadze but he fires wide of the post with only the keeper to beat, when a square pass to either of two yellow shirts in the middle might have been a better option.

Boro get their best chance of the game so far as Matt Targett whips in a brilliant cross for Morgan Whittaker.

The winger squanders Targett's excellent work though, scuffing his shot to see it loop well off target.

Saints keeper Daniel Peretz gets away with a poor pass out from the back as Blades pinch possession back and feed Tyrese Campbell, who can only lash his left-footed effort into the side-netting, the wrong side of the near post from a Blades perspective.

Brian Howard
Former Sheffield United midfielder on BBC Radio Sheffield

The pitch is starting to cut up with challenges going in. It's going to be interesting how this game is going to play out.

Nice stuff from Saints, popping it around in little triangles, 40 yards from goal, trying to work an angle... they must string 25 passes together but in the end the final ball is too clever and on a different wavelength and rolls behind harmlessly.

The pressure has continued, however, and Caspar Jander has flashed an angled shot narrowly past the far post.