Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title faced a setback following a 0-0 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The match, held on January 1, 2026, saw the defending champions fail to capitalize on their chances, leaving them four points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Despite the return of influential midfielder Rodri and winger Jeremy Doku, City was unable to penetrate a disciplined Sunderland defense. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs delivered a standout performance, producing a series of vital saves to deny Erling Haaland and substitute Josko Gvardiol in the closing stages of the encounter.
The result extends Sunderland’s unbeaten home record to ten games this season, keeping Regis Le Bris’ side in seventh place. Defensively, the “Black Cats” relied on strong performances from centre-backs Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele, who successfully contained the reigning champions’ attack for the duration of the match.
Manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the missed chances but praised his team’s commitment following their eight-game winning streak. Manchester City must now prepare for a critical upcoming fixture against Chelsea as the race for the English league title intensifies.
