15.08.2015 18:57 h

Rondon makes debut for West Brom in Watford stalemate

West Brom's new club-record signing Salomon Rondon made his debut as his side secured their first point of the season in a goalless draw at promoted Watford on Saturday.

Venezuela international Rondon, a £12 million ($19 million) signing from Zenit St Petersburg, came off the bench as Tony Pulis' side looked to bounce back from their 3-0 opening defeat by Manchester City.

And the visitors nearly claimed the three points at Vicarage Road but for Burundi striker Saido Berahino to send the ball wide with ten minutes to go.

The draw leaves Watford searching for their first win in eight home games against West Brom with Saturday's clash their first top flight meeting in nearly 20 years.

Watford had made an encouraging start to life in the Premier League last weekend with a 2-2 draw away to Everton.

And Quique Sanchez Flores's side got off to the brighter start with two chances in the first five minutes.

West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was kept busy with a Troy Deeney header followed by an attempt from Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo.

Berahino headed too high for West Brom after 28 minutes from a Rickie Lambert corner.

And in the last action of the first half Ighalo fired just over.

Back after the break, Spanish midfielder Jurado missed a chance to put the hosts ahead as Allan Nyom, Watford's new Cameroon right-back, also looked dangerous.

Nyom, who arrived from Udinese, broke away and ran the length of the field before firing a ferocious drive at Myhill from the edge of the area.

Deeney had another chance moments later when he met Ikechi Anya's cross at the far post, but Myhill was able to block the header and Jonas Olsson cleared.

Pulis brought on Rondon with half an hour to go and the Venezuelan's introduction briefly sparked West Brom into life.

Rondon's first action was a powerful run into the Watford box, but poor finishing saw it come to nothing.

And Berahino could have won it with 10 minutes left when Gareth McAuley headed Chris Brunt's cross back across goal, but the Tottenham target headed wide.