Neither side could break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes of the match between West Ham United and Manchester City this evening.

© PA Photos

The Hammers thought that they had taken the lead within five minutes when Kevin Nolan fired home, but the goal was chalked off incorrectly for offside.

Samir Nasri enjoyed City's first sight of goal, stinging Jussi Jaaskelainen's palms from distance before Edin Dzeko turned the rebound wide.

West Ham came within inches of breaking the deadlock after 20 minutes when Yossi Benayoun got on the end of Matt Jarvis's ball, but his volley cannoned back off the crossbar.

Mario Balotelli should have given the visitors the lead 10 minutes before the break when Carlos Tevez's ball was whipped in to him, but the Italian somehow lifted the ball over from just six yards out.