West Ham 0-0 Sunderland - Match Report

West Ham bubbles flat as they are held by Poyet's boys. It ended in stalemate at Upton Park between West Ham and Sunderland, a point that will do neither sides hopes of survival the power of good and will increase the pressure on Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. The first half was a tense affair with chances few and far between and both teams showing a lack of cutting edge, whilst looking nervous in front of goal. With Allardyce and Gus Poyet lining up with a 4-5-1 formation, space was limited and the two sides often cancelled each other out, with Maiga and Altidore starved of service for their respective sides. The game had all the hallmarks of the cliched 'six pointer' with nerves apparent but quality less so, and both teams struggling to find any rhythm. The first real chance of the game fell to Jozy Altidore who beat the offside trap after only 6 minutes but dragged his shot with Jaaskelainen able to help it round the post for a corner. On 22 minutes, West Ham had the ball in the net as Guy Demel lashed home after a scramble from a corner, but it was ruled out for a push inside the box. West Ham fans were growing increasingly frustrated at referee Andre Marriner and his decision to book captain Mark Noble minutes later was greeted with jeers all around. Shortly after, Marriner nearly wrote himself off Big Sam's Christmas card list when Collins tried to take a free kick in his own half with Altidore not the required 10 yards away. The ball struck the American and put Fabio Borini through, but he could only tamely scuff his shot at Jaaskelainen. Sunderland's best chance of the half came 10 minutes before half time when left back Phil Bardsley was allowed to roam forward before unleashing a thunderous drive which crashed against the bar, with Jaaskelainen well beaten. The big Finn was again called upon right on half time, when Lee Cattermole let a shot go from just outside the box which was parried away to safety. Both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances in the second half, with Mohammed Diame's bright boots and dazzling footwork the highlight of an often dull affair. Diame tried to drive his lacklustre team mates forward, and he was rightly awarded the man of the match award. West Ham's best chance of the 2nd half was made by the impressive Diame on 56 minutes as he wriggled into the box before unloading an effort into the side netting. Sunderland's clearest opportunity came after 78 minutes when Ki found himself free inside the box but his effort was kept out by Jaaskelainen. The rest of the half provided only half chances and Vito Mannone in the Black Cats goal will rarely have an easier day at the office. Other than that, the nearest thing to a talking point in the second half came with three minutes to go. With a Sunderland player down and referee Marriner happy to let play go on, the ball found it's way to Diame on the right. He had time and space to put a telling cross in, but chose to put the ball out, much to the disgust of the Hammers fans. It was a Di Canio-esque act of sportsmanship and was appreciated by the Sunderland players, although Big Sam may have something to say about it given their current plight. Hammers fans frustration could be sensed throughout and failure to break down the league's basement boys will add to the pressure on Allardyce's shoulders. Poyet will take heart from the point, but he is fully aware that draws need to turn into wins if they are to pull off the great escape. On this evidence, both sides are in for a long Winter and the opening of the transfer window can't come soon enough. Big Sam will see this as two points dropped, while Gus Poyet and his Sunderland side still search for their first win on the road. It is hard to see where West Ham's next points will come from as they face a tricky couple of fixtures, with a trip to Old Trafford followed by the visit of Arsenal, while Sunderland are at home against Norwich in their next game.