West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

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West Ham and Arsenal failed to boost the Premiership's goal tally as they played out a stalemate at Upton Park.

Teddy Sheringham came closest to scoring in the first half for the Hammers with a curling free-kick.

Arsenal were mainly reduced to shots from the edge of the box with Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes taking turns.

Substitute Bobby Zamora wasted a great chance to earn victory for West Ham but headed wide when unmarked late on.

It had not looked as though goals would be impossible to come by.

Early on both teams appeared determined to restore the Premiership's reputation as an attack-minded league.

But despite the end-to-end nature of the game, only half-chances were forthcoming.

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And in the midfield, unforced errors became more frequent and neither team could build momentum.

The lack of conviction was equally evident in front of goal as Van Persie snatched at a shot and failed to fully test Roy Carroll.

Yossi Benayoun's finishing was similarly ineffective, he volleyed over the bar from inside the box.

A typically inventive and busy Teddy Sheringham curled a free-kick wide in the Hammers' only other notable effort of the first 45 minutes.

For the visitors, Van Persie, Reyes and Fabregas all fared little better with their efforts on goal.

Almost immediately after the break, West Ham threatened from a corner as the lively Benayoun saw his shot plucked out of the air by Jens Lehmann.

Soon after the hosts unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty when Nigel Reo-Coker's overhead kick struck the arm of Fabregas.

Without the injured Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal lacked penetration.

Sensing Arsenal's lack of confidence, West Ham tried to inject some much-needed pace into the game and pushed forward.

But it appeared to play into Arsenal's hands as Arsene Wenger's men looked more comfortable operating on the counter-attack.

Van Persie had a shot deflected wide as Arsenal tried to break the deadlock.

However, neither side really looked capable of getting the better of each other's defences.

Even when Zamora found himself in space in the area, the opening goal proved elusive as he nodded his effort off target.

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West Ham boss Alan Pardew:
"There has been a lot of talk about the negative attitude,but the defending on show today from both teams was outstanding.

"I am slightly disappointed as we had chances, but could not take them.

"But I could not fault the players' attitude - I thought our defenders' focus was brilliant. All in all I am very pleased."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We are frustrated because we did not win the game, but there were goods and bads in the game.

"We feel we were quite solid defensively and created chances.

"We miss something up front. Is it in our final ball, the way we take our chances? It looks just like there is something lacking there."

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West Ham: Carroll, Repka, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Benayoun, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Etherington (Newton 84), Sheringham (Zamora 81), Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Dailly, Collins.

Booked: Sheringham, Repka.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Silva (Flamini 71), Hleb, Van Persie (Clichy 82), Reyes (Owusu-Abeyie 73).
Subs Not Used: Cygan, Almunia.

Att: 34,742

Ref: M Dean (Wirral).