Manchester City lost ground in the Premier League title race after a 0-0 draw with Sunderland, missing the chance to move back within two points of leaders Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s team controlled long
spells at the Stadium of Light, yet Sunderland’s disciplined defence and sharp goalkeeping kept the visitors out.
The result ended City’s eight-match winning run in all competitions and continued Sunderland’s impressive home form. The promoted side maintained an unbeaten Premier League record on home turf this season, resisting sustained pressure during a tense New Year’s Day contest that produced chances but no breakthrough.
City thought the early dominance had paid off in the sixth minute. Bernardo Silva finished from close range after reacting to Erling Haaland’s flick from a Rayan Cherki corner. However, celebrations stopped quickly as the assistant’s flag confirmed the City captain was offside when meeting the touch.
Sunderland offered threat on transitions and almost punished City when Brian Brobbey shrugged off Ruben Dias. Gianluigi Donnarumma read the danger and saved well, preventing the Sunderland striker from turning a rare opening into the first goal. That moment underlined the risk for City as they committed bodies forward.
Despite that scare, City carried the greater attacking force for most of the match. Haaland forced a straightforward stop from Robin Roefs, who then reacted smartly to deny Savinho and Josko Gvardiol from close range. Gvardiol later struck the post with a looping volley and saw another late effort blocked by Lutsharel Geertruida.
Sunderland’s display also set a historical marker. The Black Cats became only the second promoted club to avoid defeat in their first 10 home fixtures of a Premier League season. The achievement matches Ipswich Town’s strong start during the 1992-93 campaign, when Ipswich went unbeaten in their opening 11 home league games.
Haaland endured a rare quiet day in front of goal. Sunderland are now the only team to stop City’s number nine from scoring in the Premier League, with Haaland having found the net against each of the other 23 opponents faced in the competition so far. Sunderland’s organisation restricted clear openings for the striker.
City’s frustration deepened when the data told its story after full-time. Guardiola’s side produced an expected goals figure of 2.25, their highest in a Premier League match without scoring since a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in March 2022, when their xG reached 2.92. Roefs’ work in goal proved crucial to that outcome.
Roefs finished with four saves, lifting the season total to 67 in the league. Only Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, with 69 stops, has recorded more saves this term. Sunderland’s resilience, backed by Roefs’ numbers, left City regretting missed chances as Arsenal’s advantage at the top remained intact heading into the next round of fixtures.
| Team / Player | Statistic | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | Expected goals (xG) | 2.25 | Highest xG without scoring since March 2022 (2.92 vs Crystal Palace) |
| Sunderland | Home unbeaten run | 10 games | Second promoted team to achieve this start after Ipswich Town in 1992-93 |
| Erling Haaland | Opponents scored against | 23 teams | Sunderland are the only Premier League side yet to concede to Haaland |
| Robin Roefs | Total Premier League saves | 67 | Second most this season, behind Burnley’s Martin Dubravka on 69 |
We battle to a New Year's Day point against Man City#SUNMCI pic.twitter.com/kSkvVKb7pySunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 1, 2026
The draw at the Stadium of Light preserved Sunderland’s strong home record while halting Manchester City’s winning sequence. Arsenal’s lead at the top stayed at four points, and the data highlighted both City’s attacking pressure and Sunderland’s disciplined resistance, with Haaland contained and Roefs’ growing save tally reflecting the hosts’ defiant performance.
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