Manchester City’s Premier League title ambitions took a significant hit on Thursday as Pep Guardiola’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
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A victory would have moved City within two points of leaders Arsenal, but a flat performance in their first league outing of 2026 left them four points adrift at the halfway stage of the title race. The stalemate also brought an end to City’s eight-match winning streak in all competitions.
Following Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa, second-placed City surrendered momentum, struggling to break down a resilient Sunderland side that remains unbeaten at home this season. The Wearside club has now held both Arsenal and City to draws in their own backyard.
City had an early scare when Bernardo Silva’s close-range effort was ruled out for offside after a flick-on from Erling Haaland. Sunderland, meanwhile, wasted chances of their own, with Brian Brobbey and Trai Hume both failing to capitalize on promising openings.
Haaland found space hard to come by against a disciplined Sunderland defense and could only shoot straight at goalkeeper Robin Roefs when presented with his clearest chance. City managed just two attempts in the first half, their joint-lowest tally in a league match this season.
Guardiola attempted to inject urgency after the break, introducing Rodri for his first appearance since early November. However, missed opportunities from Savinho and a series of late chances that went begging summed up City’s frustration.
Sunderland goalkeeper Roefs produced a string of vital saves in the closing stages, denying efforts from Josko Gvardiol, while City also struck the woodwork during a frantic finale.
City will now aim to regroup quickly when they host Chelsea on Sunday, as Guardiola weighs up potential reinforcements with the January window approaching.
