Neither Queens Park Rangers nor Manchester City were able to find the net during the opening 45 minutes at Loftus Road this evening.

Visiting City were the dominant force for large parts of the half, but they were unable to turn their possession into goals.

The first real chance of the match fell to full-back Pablo Zabaleta, but the Argentine was unable to add to his goal at the weekend when he headed David Silva's cross against the bar with 22 minutes played.

City continued to have plenty of the ball, but often their route to goal was blocked by QPR's centre-backs Ryan Nelsen and Clint Hill.

In what was a rare venture forward for the home team five minutes before the break, they almost went in front. Adel Taarabt looked to catch out Joe Hart with an early shot from the edge of the area, but the City keeper got across his line to turn the ball around the post.

As the half drew to a close, City midfielder Gareth Barry saw his shot from distance held by Julio Cesar.

Should City win this match, they will cut the gap on leaders and rivals Manchester United to two points.