Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw for the second successive home game but still move a point clear of Chelsea at the top of the table.

The Reds, who were thwarted by Fulham last time out, had the majority of possession throughout the game but could not break down a resolute West Ham back line at Anfield as the Londoners secured their third successive clean sheet.

Albert Riera had the first opportunity for Liverpool on 14 minutes when he picked up a poor punch out by Hammers keeper Robert Green, but his goal bound shot was cleared away by Matthew Upson.

Two minutes later and Sami Hyypia's header from a Steven Gerrard corner was just over the bar, before he saw Carlton Cole hack his next header off the line after Dirk Kuyt set him up on 22 minutes.

West Ham almost went ahead completely out of the blue on 37 minutes when former Reds striker Craig Bellamy's effort from distance hit the inside of Jose Reina's post before rolling to safety for the hosts.

Green was on hand to deny Kuyt's header in the closing stages of the first half as the Hammers held firm to the break.

The second half produced a similar pattern as Liverpool dominated the majority of possession only to be denied by a stingy Hammers rearguard.

When they did break through on 56 minutes West Ham old boy Yossi Benayoun's fierce volley in the area, after James Collins made a hash of his attempted clearance, brought an excellent save from Green who tipped the effort over the bar.

On 67 minutes Cole headed the wrong side of Reina's near post in a rare opportunity for the visitors.

Liverpool stepped up a gear in the closing stages as Hyypia's flick header from a Gerrard corner on 81 minutes dropped the wrong side of the far post as Kuyt also attempted to dive in and convert at the back post but he was inches away.

Kuyt was denied by Green from an acute angle on 88 minutes and substitute Ryan Babel's strong run and shot was deflected inches over a minute later.

Cole was played in at the other end by Bellamy in stoppage time but he was denied by Reina. Although a scandalous offside flag would have seen the effort disallowed had it gone in.