West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is under immense pressure and this was not eased when his side lumbered through to a 0-0 draw over Portsmouth at Upton Park last Saturday.

The game was also the Hammers' first clean sheet in 25 matches, but did little to assuage fans concerns as the club battles with on and off-field issues. Perhaps that was what was responsible for the Hammers' casual attitude in the first half of this game, which definitely cost them the game.

Sol Campbell and Niko Kranjcar were absent for Pompey, which gave West Ham a chance to dominate in the midfield. Freddie Sears sent in a cross early on which hit Sylvain Distin on the arm in the area, but the referee was not moved.

Herita Ilunga then sent in a wonderful ball for Cole, who failed to connect from six yards out. Just after 10 minutes, Defoe had a wonderful chance having been played in by Glen Johnson, but he could only sky the shot after having beaten Robert Green.

Ilunga then got in a crucial challenge just after Crouch had been played through by Defoe. After the break Matthew Etherington and Julien Faubert were brought on early, but they did little to change the course of the game.

Defoe had two great chances and only a brilliant save by Green on 48 minutes denied him from converting one of them. Green then tipped over a long range shot from Defore just two minutes later.

Bellamy and Cole tested James late on, but he was equal to the task and both sides had to be satisfied with a draw.