Liverpool go top despite West Ham draw

LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool went top of the Premier League on Monday but missed the chance to open a three-point lead when they were held 0-0 at home by West Ham United.

For the second consecutive league game at Anfield, Liverpool failed to break down resolute opponents and West Ham had chances to steal an unlikely victory.

Liverpool climbed one point above Chelsea with 34 from 15 games after the Stamford Bridge team had lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Sunday.

Defender Sami Hyypia went close three times with headers for Liverpool while Dirk Kuyt nearly won it late on after being picked out by Steven Gerrard.

Former Liverpool player Craig Bellamy almost broke the deadlock for West Ham though, thumping a shot against the inside of a post in the first half.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Tony Jimenez)