West Bromwich Albion have held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns this afternoon.
The league leaders were frustrated by a resolute Baggies defence who became the first team to keep a clean sheet against Roberto Mancini's charges to have their lead at the top of the table cut back to zero points and just five goals on goal difference by Manchester United who hammered Wigan Athletic 5-0.
City had some chances throughout and really should have taken the lead on a number of occasions but the home side were also unlucky when they were denied by the upright late in proceedings.
The 24th minute saw David Silva uncharacteristically miss a golden opportunity when he fluffed his shot after Sergio Aguero found him unmarked in the area ten minutes before Mario Balotelli had the ball in back of the net when Silva's attempt deflected off Jonas Olsson for the Italian to hit a volley which bounced over Ben Foster but the flag was up for off-side.
Nine minutes into the second half, Balotelli was desperately unlucky when he struck the crossbar with his long range effort before Silva tested Foster from range on the hour-mark.
In the 65th minute, Aguero was unlucky to be denied when he controlled an aerial ball from James Milner's header just outside the six-yard box but could not get a shot off with Gareth McAuley getting in a timely challenge prior to Baggies midfielder Jerome Thomas being denied by the upright with a sizzling effort.
City had the best late chance when substitute Edin Dzeko rose above the pack to make contact with a header from a Silva corner but his attempt went wide as Roy Hodgson's men held on to record a famous draw which stretches their unbeaten streak to three matches as City were held for just the third time this campaign.
TRIBAL ASKS: Are things slowly unraveling for Man City or is this simply a case of fortune not favouring them?
West Bromwich Albion: 0 Manchester City: 0
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich - 25,938
Yellow cards:WBA - nil MANC - Yaya Toure 70'
