A dull stalemate between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns was met with boos from the fans. Both defences were largely untested, with both sides seemingly content with the point.
Tony Pulis, who was taking charge of his 997th match as a manager, handed young 18-year-old Sam Field his first Premier League appearance to inject youthful exuberance after a week which saw them crash out of the EFL Cup against Northampton.
That energy was evident in the opening stages of the match as Brendan Galloway and James McClean drew strong challenges from the Middlesbrough backline, with Daniel Ayala picking up a yellow card for a robust challenge on Galloway.
The West Midlands side were enjoying possession but much of that was down to Middlesbrough's sloppiness on the ball and it almost cost them when McClean latched onto a loose ball on the 10th minute a produced a weaving run that was brilliantly stopped by Antonio Barragan in the penalty area.
Both Guzan and Ben Foster were virtual spectators but the former Aston Villa 'keeper was called into action when he came to block a McClean shot after great interlinking play involving the Irishman, Galloway and a fine lofted ball from Darren Fletcher.
The last 20 minutes of the first half were largely forgettable as both sides were prepared to sit and allow their opponents to play in front of them.
The end of the first half, however, produced a moment of controversy. Salomon Rondon, who had been feeding on scraps for much of the half, tried to get on the end of a good cross from Galloway but found himself being dragged by Ben Gibson. There were no appeals from the Baggies and none of the officials seemed to see the infringement.
The second half started in the same vein as the first half and there were a few restless groans from the fans with each misplaced pass from either side.
Perhaps the most eventful passage during the second half was the sight of Saido Berahino sat glumly on the steps getting ready to enter the game on the 60th minute. Despite being called by Pulis first, Berahino saw Jonathan Leko come on before him and strangely, the controversial striker came on for Leko, who suffered an injury in the short time he was on the pitch.
Aitor Karanka's side grew into the game and at one point during the half, enjoyed 60 per cent of the ball. But shots from his side were at a premium but Stuani eventually managed to test Foster with a somewhat tame effort from just eight yards out.
With the final whistle approaching, neither team showed any real intent on grabbing a late winner and when the whistle did finally come, it was met with a chorus of boos from some sections of the Hawthorns.
West Brom: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher, Field, McClean; Rondon.
Middlesbrough: Guzan; Nsue, Gibson, Ayala, Barragan; Clayton, Forshaw; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo.