Cardiff City 0-0 West Ham United - Match Report

19,202 spectators were at Ninian Park, including a sold-out following from the visitors, but neither sets of supporters were entertained to a goal in City's fourth 0-0 stalemate of the season. The attendance was the highest at a Ninian Park league game for over two decades, and the famous Cardiff atmosphere began to develop which has perhaps been missing at recent home games.

Lennie Lawrence made only one change to the side that comfortably beat Coventry City last weekend, as the Bluebirds welcomed back skipper Graham Kavanagh to the midfield. The Irish international replaced Gareth Whalley, who was relegated to the substitutes bench.

The Hammers started the brighter of the two sides, with Neil Alexander called into action early to save a left-footed drive from Jermain Defoe. West Ham were clearly looking for an early goal to calm their nerves, and they began to attack in numbers with Don Hutchinson also going close in the early exchanges.

Alan Pardew's pre-match plans were spoiled in only the thirteenth minute, as ex-Wimbledon striker David Connolly limped off with a thigh injury, and was replaced by on-loan attacker Neil Mellor.

As the game progressed, City began to create some chances with Mark Bonner going close on 20 minutes. Target-man Gavin Gordon did well to nod the ball down to Bonner on the edge of the box, but the former Blackpool midfielder blasted his shot well over David James' bar.

Minutes later, John Robinson nearly gave City the lead. The Welsh international sent a low drive towards goal, but David James did fantastically well to save the ball with his legs.

With ten minutes to go before the break, Gavin Gordon had what was probably City's best chance of the game. Man of the match Tony Vidmar sent in an accurate cross to the head of the City striker, but Gordon's effort went inches wide of David James' far post.

The Bluebirds began to get on top of the game, but failed to create any clear cut chances and the Irons defence did well to keep Robert Earnshaw and Gavin Gordon relatively quiet.

United started to become an offensive force again with about half-an-hour to go, and started showing the form that led them close to getting a goal in the opening moments of the game, as Jermain Defoe had a number of chances to give the visitors the lead.

Robert Lee had a chance blocked by the Cardiff defence, and Don Hutchinson sent a volley over the bar, but the Hammers could not find the goal that would give Alan Pardew his first win as manager.

John Robinson went extremely close to breaking the deadlock with 20 minutes to go, as his shot clipped the inside of David James' post and bounced out again.

The goal did end up in the net before the final whistle, but Jermain Defoe's effort five minutes from time was ruled out for offside. The England under-21 international finished neatly passed Neil Alexander, but the linesman showed little hesitation in raising his flag and the game ended goalless.

BTTB Man of the Match - Tony Vidmar
For once the sponsors, or whoever picks the man of the match at Ninian Park these days, got it spot on. The Australian international put in a solid display in defence, dealing with Defoe and Mellor quite comfortably.

Full Time - Cardiff City 0-0 West Ham United