Manchester City missed the chance to move back within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, following a goalless draw with Sunderland.
2025/2026 Premier League
0-0
Match Report
Pep Guardiola's side were left frustrated at the Stadium of Light, where they controlled large periods of the contest, but were unable to break down the stubborn hosts.
Bernardo Silva thought he had broken the deadlock when he volleyed home from close range in the sixth minute. However, the City skipper was offside as he latched onto Erling Haaland's flick from a Rayan Cherki corner.
Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Brian Brobbey at the other end after the Sunderland striker had outmuscled Ruben Dias, but the visitors continued to carry the greater attacking threat.
Erling Haaland shot straight at Robin Roefs, with the Black Cats goalkeeper also denying Savinho and Josko Gvardiol from close range.
Gvardiol hit the post with a looping volley over his shoulder, while he saw a late opportunity blocked by Lutsharel Geertruida, as Sunderland held out to maintain their unbeaten Premier League home record this term.
We battle to a New Year's Day point against Man City#SUNMCI pic.twitter.com/kSkvVKb7py
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 1, 2026
Data Debrief: City and Haaland draw rare blank
Sunderland are just the second promoted team to remain unbeaten in their first 10 home games in a Premier League campaign, after Ipswich Town in 1992-93 (first 11).
The Black Cats are also the only side to keep Haaland at bay in the top-flight, with City's number nine scoring against each of the other 23 teams he has faced.
Guardiola's side, whose eight-game winning streak in all competitions ended, drew a blank despite recording an xG of 2.25, their highest in a Premier League game in which they failed to score since March 2022 against Crystal Palace (2.92).
That was also thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Roefs, whose four saves took his tally for the season to 67, with only Burnley's Martin Dubravka (69) registering more this term.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Ake is writhing in pain and receives medical treatment
6' Bernardo Silva has a goal ruled out for offside
17' Foden volleys the from the edge of the box but it flies too wide
19' Brobbey fires a shot towards the right post, but Donnarumma makes a save
22' Hume has a crack at goal from the edge of the box, but it goes high over the bar
29' Nico is taking a medical treatment after picking up an injury
34' Foden almost makes a mistake as Mayenda steals his pass but his effort goes wide
37' Haaland directs a low shot towards the middle of the goal, but it is saved
46' Nico is replaced by Rodri
47' Hume rises high to meet a cross and steers his header just over the crossbar
47' Savinho picks up a clever pass, and hits a shot that rises over the bar
48' Savinho lashes a shot towards the bottom right corner, but the keeper denies him
50' Yellow Card! Simon Adingra booked for his blatant foul
52' Savinho is substituted due to injury, and Doku is on
54' Mayenda unleashes a decent strike, but Donnarumma makes an astonishing save
65' Gvardiol's header from a very close range is saved by the keeper
70' Doku makes space for himself after a nice work, but his shot is blocked
74' Gvardiol takes a shot from inside the box and hits the right post
Line-ups
Sunderland XI: Xhaka, Omar Alderete, Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida, Enzo Le Fée, Cirkin, Brian Brobbey, Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Simon Adingra, Eliezer Mayenda
Subs: Luke O'Nien, Wilson Isidor, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Romaine Mundle, Leo Hjelde, Harrison Jones, Chris Rigg, Timur Tuterov
Man City XI: Ake, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Donnarumma, Haaland, Foden, Matheus Nunes, Nico González, Cherki, Savinho, Nico O'Reilly
Subs: Rodri, Reijnders, James Trafford, Doku, Gvardiol, Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Reigan Heskey, Divine Mukasa