Manchester City 0 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain

Wasteful Citizens fail to hit the mark

Updated: December 3, 2008, 10:15 PM UK

Mark Hughes saw his Manchester City side maintain their unbeaten record in the UEFA Cup group stages with a goalless draw against Paris St Germain at Eastlands.

• Elano reveals Elano injury blow

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.

Welsh boss 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 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.

Sturridge then got on the end of a cross from Javier Garrido but as he shaped to shoot the ball was taken off his toes.

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.

City were struggling to break them down and Hughes was continually out and about in the technical area trying to urge his players on.

Stephen Ireland tried to put Vassell away in the 41st minute but put too much weight on the pass and Landreau booted the ball to safety.

Then Zabaleta picked out Jo but his weak header from close range did not give the goalkeeper too much difficulty.

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 former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman was clear in the penalty area but Tal Ben Haim made a superb block.

Sturridge then tried his luck on goal in the 48th minute but his effort whistled past the post.

PSG hit back nine minutes later when Peguy Luyindula stung goalkeeper Joe Hart's fingers with a 25-yard drive.

Vassell was wasteful a minute later after substitute Benjani Mwaruwari and Ireland linked up.

He got into a good position on the edge of the area but failed to test Landreau, hoisting his effort high over the bar.

Play broke down the other end and 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.

Elano reveals Elano injury blow

Manchester City could be without Brazil winger Elano for at least two weeks after he hobbled off in the goalless draw against Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup.

Hughes said: ''We will check him out. With those kind of strains it is a minimum of two weeks, possibly longer.

''But we hope he has not compromised himself too much with the injury. It is a blow to us because obviously we are a little bit light in midfield. We cannot afford to lose too many bodies there.''

Hughes said: ''We had half chances to get on the scoresheet but it was a frustrating night.

''We have performed better in other games. However this is a new experience for us. European games are a different test and a different problem we have to solve.

''We will be the better for the experience of going up against a good European side like PSG. It is important for our development.

''PSG defended well and played on the counter attack. We were a bit over-commited in trying to get the winning goal. That was the only time they looked a danger.''

Jo was handed a rare start up front but failed to impress and Hughes said: ''It was a little bit difficult for him along with many others. There was not much space for him to operate because of the way PSG set up their side.

''He stuck at it. He is a young player and he needs more experience playing with the team, which he will get.''

PSG head coach Paul Le Guen was disappointed that his side had failed to achieve the victory he felt they deserved.

He said: ''We were a little bit over-awed at the start as we all know City are a good side.

''But in the second half we played much better and we had a lot of chances to win the match. It is a concern we did not take them and that means 180 minutes without a goal after our defeat by Rennes.''