Mark Hughes saw his Manchester City side maintain their unbeaten record in the Uefa Cup group stages at Eastlands after playing out a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint Germain. But after the exertions of the derby against Manchester United ? and a morale-sapping defeat ? they were running on empty in the last 20 minutes. City, however, could have put the game to bed in the first quarter when they should have been two goals to the good. Hughes must have been alarmed at how wasteful his side were in the opening stages. The first chance fell to Daniel Sturridge in the fifth minute when Elano released him with a defence-splitting pass. Sturridge raced on but the ball got away from him and goalkeeper Mickael Landreau was able to make the clearance. Sturridge was left frustrated at seeing that chance go begging and City squandered another good opportunity in the 13th minute when the Brazilian striker Jo sent Darius Vassell clear. Vassell had only the goalkeeper to beat but showed a lack of confidence by dragging his effort wide of the post. There were groans of disapproval from the home supporters after City again failed to capitalise on a clear chance. Elano tried his luck with a free-kick from an acute angle in the 31st minute but only succeeded in sending his effort wide of the target. PSG were showing little ambition and looked content to play on the counter even though they need points to advance to the last 32. Zabaleta picked out Jo but his weak header from close range did not give the goalkeeper too much difficulty as City continued to press. Two minutes later, Landreau did well to parry Zabaleta's effort around the post after Vassell had pulled the ball back. PSG responded immediately and the former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman was clear in the penalty area but Tal Ben Haim made a superb block. PSG's Péguy Luyindula stung goalkeeper Joe Hart's fingers with a 25-yard drive as the French outfit began to exert themselves more in the game. Kezman, on loan to PSG from Fenerbahce, skipped past Ireland, only to send a poor shot off target. City were caught napping in the 63rd minute and Luyindula raced clear only for Hart to divert his effort to safety. PSG had suddenly stepped up the pace and the impressive Luyindula released Guillaume Hoarau in the 73rd minute. But he somehow clipped his shot the wrong side of the post when it seemed easier to score. Hoarau then got clear in the 82nd minute, only to send his cross behind Luyindula and City held out to finish on level terms and will have left the field much the happier of the two sides having already qualified for the last 32 of the competition.
*PA Sport