Hot Cole struggles to ignite Hammers

West Ham United 0 Manchester City

Glenn Roeder saw the pressure on his shoulders increase as a point against City meant West Ham had suffered their worst start to a season in their 117–year history.

The Hammers remain the only team in the Premiership yet to win this season and two points from six games leaves them rock bottom of the table, three points adrift of Sunderland.

It was another frustrating afternoon for West Ham fans, whose team were so lacking in ideas that at times it was embarrassing.

The only thing which saved them was that Kevin Keegan's City appeared to have set their stall out for a point, as Nicolas Anelka was employed as a lone striker and lacked the necessary support to inflict serious damage on the home side.

A point for City was their first on their travels this season following three defeats, so at least Roeder's former Newcastle team–mate Kevin Keegan had something to celebrate as City boss.

The match saw a surprisingly quiet start from both teams, who were employing a similar tactic – get the ball forward quickly to the big striker.

The Hammers were aiming everything at Freddie Kanoute, but he was being well marshalled by Sylvain Distin, who made a good block tackle after eight minutes when the Frenchman latched on to a delightful pass from Paolo di Canio.

At the other end, the pace of Anelka looked like it might trouble Tomas Repka, especially with former Hammer Eyal Berkovic's passing ability likely to give the Frenchman plenty to run on to.

The first real chance of the afternoon presented itself to Joe Cole after 15 minutes. He chased Sebastian Schemmel's ball out of defence, cut inside Steve Howey and saw his shot blocked by the legs of Peter Schmeichel.

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

Anelka has scored four goals this season and he showed why he can be such a threat after 25 minutes.

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

West Ham's best chance came after 27 minutes but unfortunately for them it fell to a defender, Scott Minto, who was making his first appearance since February.

Trevor Sinclair teed up Minto, but he drove his angled shot wide of the far post from just 10 yards.

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

Keegan may have been tempted to remain in the dressing room a bit longer to watch his horse Funfair Wane run in the Tote Gold Cup in Ayr, and he would have missed very little at the start of the second half had he done so.

City won a free–kick on the right flank level with the edge of the 18–yard box after 50 minutes, but Benarbia's cross was headed clear.

At the other end, di Canio turned well on the edge of the box but flashed his shot well over the bar.

James had to come to the rescue after 56 minutes when Gary Breen's back–header was too weak and Anelka pounced to shoot, but the goalkeeper saved with his legs.

The home fans become frustrated when di Canio was substituted with 12 minutes remaining and the Italian shrugged his shoulders at the decision, even though he is still on the road to recovery following a knee injury.

His replacement, Jermain Defoe, had a tame shot saved by Schmeichel and former City midfielder Lomas, now club captain at West Ham, had a header easily saved too. It was a similar story at the other end as James got behind Berkovic's low drive.

When the final whistle sounded there were a few expected jeers from the home fans, who know that West Ham have their work cut out to turn around their poor start to the season.