The Hammers should perhaps have won all three points had it not been for a wrong call from the linesman when Kevin Nolan hit a first-time volley past City goalkeeper Joe Hart in the fourth minute.
Mark Noble hit a free-kick long for Nolan to swivel, turn and strike, with the ball flying into the net for what looked like the opening goal of the game. The linesman however, quickly raised his flag to rule out the goal for offside. Video replays showed that the decision was incorrect.
Both teams had good chances to score. Yossi Benayoun hit the woodwork and Mario Balotelli was particularly wasteful in front of goal for the visitors.