Manchester City trails Arsenal by four points at the top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Thursday, which couldn’t end Sunderland’s unbeaten home record.
Liverpool was also held
to a draw by Leeds.
In a goalless start to 2026, three of the four New Year’s Day games ended without a goal, including Tottenham’s 0-0 draw on Thomas Frank’s return to Brentford.
City had won eight successive matches to close 2025, narrowing the gap with Arsenal to just two points. However, despite creating numerous opportunities against a depleted Sunderland, they couldn’t respond to Arsenal’s brilliant 4-1 victory over third-place Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Sunderland was missing six players because of the Africa Cup of Nations and influential centre-back Dan Ballard due to injury.
Bernardo Silva had a City goal disallowed for offside just six minutes in. Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs made crucial saves to deny Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, while Savinho missed a significant chance.
City couldn’t break through and Sunderland maintained their unbeaten record of 10 matches at the Stadium of Light since returning to the top flight.
“It’s a mystery,” said City boss Pep Guardiola about his team’s inability to score. “We created a lot, especially in the second half. We take the point; it’s a long way to go.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot lamented his team’s lack of “individual special moments” as the English champions struggled to break down a resilient Leeds at Anfield, resulting in a goalless draw.
The Reds struggled in attack without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, and only a tight offside call saved them from defeat.
Despite scoring in the last six matches, Dominic Calvert-Lewin began on the bench as Daniel Farke prepares for Saturday’s visit of Manchester United to Elland Road. Calvert-Lewin thought he had extended his scoring streak, but his goal was ruled offside.
The draw extends Leeds’ unbeaten run to six games and puts them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Fourth-placed Liverpool is now three points ahead of Chelsea, who parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca on Thursday, and Manchester United in the race for next season’s Champions League.
Frank received a hero’s welcome at Brentford, the club he brought back to the top flight for the first time in 74 years. However, he has struggled to have the same impact at Tottenham, which produced another uninspired attacking display.
Visiting Spurs fans chanted “boring, boring Tottenham” towards the end, while Frank was booed after the game.
“Definitely, we don’t create enough,” admitted Frank. “We need to continually work on that.”
The draw leaves both teams separated by just one point, with Brentford in ninth and Spurs in 12th.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said that his depleted team is in “survival mode” after a 1-1 draw against Fulham extended their winless run to six matches. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first goal in eight games opened the scoring for Palace, but Fulham skipper Tom Cairney’s fine strike bagged a point for the visitors.
(With AFP Inputs)
