BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Man City muzzle Hammers

West Ham 0-0 Manchester City

West Ham have still to win this season as Manchester City ground out an effective if unenterprising draw at Upton Park.

Photo gallery: See this story in pictures

The result leaves Glenn Roeder's side still rooted to the foot of the Premiership table, three points behind Sunderland.

Both sides have a reputation for attacking football, but West Ham's uncertain start and City's inability to win away from home contrived to produce a scrappy match.

I understand the frustration of our fans, but the players gave it everything and the plus is the clean sheet

West Ham manager Glenn Roeder

That fragility away from Maine Road saw Keegan deploy Nicolas Anelka as a lone striker, a tactic that bolstered City's defensive organisation but impacted negatively on their attacking options.

So lacklustre was the opening half that it took 15 minutes for the game's first chance to present itself.

It was conjured up by Joe Cole, who chased Sebastien Schemmel's ball out of defence, cut inside Steve Howey and saw his shot blocked by Peter Schmeichel's legs.

I must admit I expected a more exciting game from the players on show, but at least it is a point away from home

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan

There was an identical move three minutes later when Cole again cut inside Howey in the box but this time he saw his shot charged down by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Anelka hit a powerful shot from 25 yards which David James failed to hold on to, and the ball was scrambled clear.

West Ham then forced two good chances on the break.

Paolo Di Canio flicked the ball wide for Frederic Kanoute and his cross was met by the head of Trevor Sinclair, but he failed to keep his effort on target.

The England midfielder recovered to tee up Scott Minto, but his aim was similarly wayward.

West Ham United's Frederic Kanoute holds off Manchester City's Sun Jihai
West Ham have scored just four goals this season

Play swung back the other way and Berkovic did well to play in Anelka two minutes later, but his shot was blocked by Tomas Repka.

Edouard Cisse gave West Ham brief hope when he weaved his way into the box two minutes before the break but Sylvain Distin was there again to block the shot.

A minute later Cole pounced on Di Canio's pass, but he shot weakly at Schmeichel.

Just before the hour good goalkeeping from James denied Anelka.

Roeder introduced the youthful zest of Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe as West Ham stepped up their efforts to secure the three points.

Neither youngster was able to break the deadlock, but at least Carrick's passing illuminated those later stages.

West Ham: James, Repka, Breen, Minto, Schemmel, Sinclair, Lomas, Cisse (Carrick 74), Cole (Pearce 89), Kanoute, Di Canio (Defoe 74).
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Winterburn.

Booked: Cisse, Minto.

Man City: Schmeichel, Howey, Distin, Jihai, Jensen, Benarbia (Huckerby 82), Berkovic, Foe, Horlock, Wright-Phillips, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Bischoff, Tiatto, Shuker.

Attendance: 35,550.

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).