Sunderland 0-0 Man City: Report, result as City lose ground in Premier League
Read a report from Sunderland vs Man City in the Premier League
Manchester City lost ground to Arsenal in the Premier League title race after they were held by a spirited and superbly-drilled Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked the more likely side to break the deadlock in the second half with substitute Josko Gvardiol hitting the post, but the Black Cats were always a threat on the break as they deservedly maintained their unbeaten home record.
Erling Haaland was shut out as City dropped points to leave Arsenal four points clear at the halfway stage of the season.
Guardiola saw winger Savinho, who has been linked with a move this month, go off with an injury but was able to welcome back Rodri in the second half.
Trai Hume glanced a header over before the break and Savinho and Eliezer Mayenda both went close in the second half before substitute Gvardiol hit the post with 16 minutes of normal time to go.
You can relive live text updates from the match here.
Both sides are next in action on Sunday, when Sunderland travel to Tottenham (15:00 GMT) and City host Chelsea (17:30).
Table of Contents
Sunderland team vs Manchester City
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was injured, so left-back Dennis Cirkin started again and Nordi Mukiele continued at centre-back.
Forward Eliezer Mayenda replaced Chris Rigg in their one change from their 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United four days earlier.
Luke O’Nien returned on the bench following a three-game ban for being sent off in the 3-0 defeat at City on December 6, and centre-back Aji Alese had a shoulder injury.
Reinildo Mandava was at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with Mozambique, as were midfielder Habib Diarra with Senegal, forward Bertrand Traore as Burkina Faso captain and winger Chemsdine Talbi, representing Morocco.
Defender or midfielder Noah Sadiki and left-back Arthur Masuaku were at the tournament with DR Congo.
Sunderland starting XI: Robin Roefs, Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Dennis Cirkin, Eliezer Mayenda, Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Lutsharel Geertruida, Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey
Sunderland substitutes: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, Luke O’Nien, Romaine Mundle, Wilson Isidor, Leo Hjelde, Harrison Jones, Tymur Tutierov
Man City team vs Sunderland
City replaced Josko Gvardiol with Nathan Ake in defence and Tijjani Reijnders with Savinho in midfield.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic remained out with an ankle injury. Midfielder Oscar Bobb (hamstring), winger Jeremy Doku (ankle) and centre-back John Stones were expected to return this month.
Algeria wideman Rayan Ait-Nouri and Egypt forward Omar Marmoush were at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland
Man City substitutes: James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Jeremy Doku, Rodri, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis, Reigan Heskey
Premier League results today
Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, Liverpool were targeting a fourth straight win when Leeds United headed to Anfield and Crystal Palace were seeking a first victory in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who had won their previous three league games, visited Selhurst Park.
Under-pressure manager Thomas Frank then took Tottenham to Brentford, who the Dane left in June to join Spurs, in another goalless draw.
Thursday, January 1
Sunderland 0-0 Man City