Manchester City would feel unlucky to be locked goalless against 10-man West Ham United, who have had Mark Noble sent off, at half time in the Premiership clash at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.

City boss Mark Hughes, who is deprived of the services of several strikers through injury and Jo only just finished with Brazil duty at Olympics, had teenager Daniel Sturridge entrusted with the responsibility upfront.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had the boost of Dean Ashton fit again after his brace in the previous game where he also suffered a cramp, alongside Carlton Cole in the attack.

The home side were the first to make a notable attack and Hammers keeper Robert Green had to make an important intervention. The England international raced off his line to thwart Sturridge after Elano had sent a superb pass.

There was frantic action in the Hammers area in the 15th minute when a goalmouth scramble saw Calum Davenport and Cole in the thick of action as City were denied twice Ireland’s shot was half –stopped on the line before Tal Ben-Haim saw his attempt ricochet off the cross bar.

City were again frustrated as the frame work prevented Hammers from falling behind when in the 22nd minute Martin Petrov’s curling left-foot strike ratted the goal-post with Green only hoping that would be the case as he had not even made an attempt to stop it.

The ever menacing Sturridge and Ireland linked up in the rival area, with the Hammers seemingly at sixes and sevens with the continuing pressure. However, Sturridge’s final effort was off-target.

The visiting side suffered an injury blow at the half-hour mark with striker Cole limping off. He was replaced by Freddie Sears. Their problems were compounded in the 38th minute when midfielder Noble was sent off after double booking. Already booked for a handball, his lunging tackle on Michael Johnson saw Howard Webb producing the second yellow and red card – the first one for the 2008-09 season.

Green came up with the best save of the first half in the injury time as he palmed away Johnson’s powerful strike from the edge of the area.

Teams:

Man City: Joe Hart, Vedran Corluka, Micah Richards, Tal Ben Haim, Michael Ball, Steven Ireland, Michael Johnson, Vincent Kompany, Martin Petrov, Elano Blumer, Daniel Sturridge.

Substitutes: Kasper Schmeichel, Dietmar Hamann, Gelson Fernandes, Kelvin Etuhu, Felipe Caicedo, Ched Evans.

West Ham: Robert Green, Valon Behrami, Calum Davenport, Matthew Upson, Lucas Neill, Julien Faubert, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Matthew Etherington, Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole (Freddie Sears 31).

Substitutes not used: Jan Lastuvka, Hayden Mullins, Lee Bowyer, Luis Boa Morte, Jordan Spence, Kyel Reid.