Softfootball understands that Manchester City were held to an entertaining 0-0 draw by a resilient Sunderland side, who extended their unbeaten home record in the 2025/26 season to ten matches, following their recent 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
After the game Manchester City shared a post about the result via their official X account.
They posted:
It ends level.
The result proved significant in the title race, handing Arsenal, who recently defeated Aston Villa 4-1, a four-point cushion at the top of the table heading into the first weekend of 2026.
City thought they had made the perfect start when Bernardo Silva found the net early on, latching onto a headed assist from Erling Haaland. However, celebrations were quickly cut short as a marginal offside call ruled out the goal, with Silva’s trailing left foot judged to be just beyond the line.
Pep Guardiola’s side continued to apply sustained pressure on Sunderland’s back four, probing patiently and dominating possession. Yet the hosts were far from passive, with Trai Hume and Enzo Le Fée leading energetic counterattacks that kept Ruben Dias and his defensive partners alert.
Sunderland came close to breaking the deadlock when Brian Brobbey muscled past Dias and unleashed a powerful effort, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to produce a strong save. As the first half progressed, the Black Cats grew in confidence, winning the majority of their individual duels and matching City’s intensity.
Hume later flashed a shot narrowly wide, while City struggled to get Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki fully involved. At the other end, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda posed constant problems with their movement and direct running.
Despite Sunderland’s threat, Haaland still registered the clearest chance of the half, testing Robin Roefs with a low right-footed strike that the goalkeeper handled well. The opening 45 minutes ended scoreless but lively, leaving neutrals feeling the game deserved at least one goal.
The second half continued in the same end-to-end fashion, quickly turning into one of the most captivating goalless draws the league has seen in recent memory.
Savinho squandered a close-range opportunity soon after the restart and was later denied again by Roefs, as City emerged with renewed urgency. Sunderland responded bravely, with Donnarumma producing fine saves to deny Adingra and then a stunning one-handed stop from Mayenda.
As the match entered a frenetic final phase, Roefs delivered a point-blank reflex save to keep out Joško Gvardiol, while Nordi Mukiele’s face blocked a goal-bound strike from Jérémy Doku.
Despite relentless attacking intent from both sides, neither could find a breakthrough. The stalemate preserved City’s long-standing record of avoiding defeat in their opening league match of a calendar year since 2012, while Sunderland celebrated earning their first point in eight Premier League meetings against Manchester City.
