Hammers draw a blank

Green's super show denies Defoe to earn point for Zola

Last updated: 15th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hammers draw a blank

Searing Fred: Fred Sears tries to make the breakthrough for West Ham

MATCH FACTS
Man of the match - Robert Green pulled off some terrific saves in front of Fabio Capello, denying Jermain Defoe on three occasions.
Moment of the match: Not too many to choose from in a tame encounter but Craig Bellamy rattled David James' crossbar with a great free-kick.
Controversy: West Ham had shouts for a penalty when Freddie Sears appeared to play the ball onto Sylvain Distin's arms but the referee waved play-on.
Talking point: West Ham at last kept a clean sheet, thanks to a great display from Green. Should he be chosen by Fabio Capello for the Germany game?

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West Ham's winless run extended to seven games after they were held to a goalless draw by Portsmouth.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout but the home side were indebted to goalkeeper Robert Green who was in sparkling form to deny ex-Hammer Jermain Defoe.

Watching England manager Fabio Capello must have been impressed by Green's display as he prepares to name his squad for the friendly with Germany on Wednesday.

Fellow England keeper David James was called into action less frequently but was beaten by a fine Craig Bellamy free-kick which cannoned off the bar.

A draw was probably a fair result with neither side dominating for long periods.

At least West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will be pleased to see his side keep a first clean sheet in 25 matches.

The game began with Defoe's appearance being greeted with a chorus of predictable boos.

West Ham's early pressure briefly pushed Pompey back and the visitors had a big escape when Freddie Sears' cross struck Sylvain Distin on the arm, only for the well-placed referee Martin Atkinson to wave play on.

Within a minute West Ham's Herita Ilunga picked up possession on the left and curled in a lovely cross which the unmarked Cole just could not reach six yards out.

Impressive

Pompey could have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Glen Johnson capped a penetrating run on the right by slipping a ball into the box for Defoe, who just got to it before Green but could only hook it over the bar.

Pompey pushed forward for a spell and Green was required to make a good save to deny another impressive run and shot from Johnson.

Defoe then challenged for Diop's through ball which spun away into the path of Crouch, who looked certain to score until Ilunga's challenge did just enough to put him off.

Zola brought on Matthew Etherington and Julien Faubert early in the second half but they were lucky not to be out of the game after two sublime moments by Defoe.

In the 48th minute he took Traore's pass, left Lucas Neill trailing and fired a

shot which forced Green into a brilliant save.

Two minutes later he pulled a long clearance out of the sky with a fine first touch, shrugged off Matthew Upson and almost lobbed Green only for the goalkeeper to tip over the bar.

Pamarot gave away a soft free-kick on the edge of the area but Bellamy's set-piece clattered back off the bar and James had to smother Jack Collison's follow up for his first real save in the 53rd minute.

James was not troubled by tame efforts from Bellamy and Cole soon afterwards but Hammers were seeing more and more of the ball and Pompey boss Adams brought on Kanu for the ineffective Crouch to try to turn the tide.

The Nigerian nearly made all the difference, his clever ball setting up Defoe for another chance but this time, though he side-stepped Upson, his angle was too tight and Green again made the block.

West Ham UnitedTeam StatisticsPortsmouth
0Goals0
01st Half Goals0
5Shots on Target6
7Shots off Target5
4Blocked Shots4
8Corners8
8Fouls13
1Offsides2
0Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
79.8Passing Success77.3
32Tackles27
75Tackles Success85.2
53.4Possession46.6
49.7Territorial Advantage50.3
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