West Ham's winless run extended to seven games after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Portsmouth.
Green's super show denies Defoe to earn point for Zola
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 United |
Team Statistics |
Portsmouth |
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 8 |
Corners |
8 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 79.8 |
Passing Success |
77.3 |
| 32 |
Tackles |
27 |
| 75 |
Tackles Success |
85.2 |
| 53.4 |
Possession |
46.6 |
| 49.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
50.3 |
|
