We look at how Guardiola’s side dropped two points at Sunderland and what it means for the title race
Football writer Tom Hancock analyses Manchester City’s 0-0 draw at Sunderland and what it means for the battle to be Premier League champions.
At the halfway point of the Premier League season, it’s advantage Arsenal in the title race, after Manchester City missed the opportunity to close the gap at the top as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland.
The result ended an eight-match winning streak in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side, who experienced a frustrating evening at the Stadium of Light. Victory there would have kept Arsenal’s lead down to two points after Matchweek 19. Instead, the Gunners are four points clear.
Arsenal now have the chance to extend their advantage to seven points, at least overnight, at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s men travel to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 hours before Man City host Chelsea.
Stats behind the Sunderland stalemate
In their first goalless draw since a trip to Southampton at the back end of last season, Man City racked up 2.25 Expected Goals (xG) but were unable to breach Sunderland’s robust defensive lines.
Not since drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace in March 2022 had Man City accumulated such a high xG total (2.92) without scoring.
Guardiola’s men were left ruing a string of missed chances as they drew a blank in the Premier League for the first time in over two months. Two of their substitutes, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku – the latter back from injury – went closest to scoring as the visitors amassed 12 shots during the second half.
Only in October’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa have Man City had more attempts in the second 45 minutes of a league game this season.
No Silva lining for Man City this time
The visitors’ captain Bernardo Silva – who had a first-half effort ruled out for offside – summed up the disappointment in the away dressing room.
“It was two different halves. In the first half we didn’t play that well, we didn’t control the counter-attacks as we should and tried to attack too quick,” Silva said at full-time.
“Today was one of those days where we couldn’t finish [our chances]. It is okay, it is a point. We want better than that but it is a long season.
“It is no surprise [Sunderland] are undefeated at home but we are fighting for the title. We want to stay as close to the top as possible so we need to win these kinds of games.”
Guardiola: It is a mystery why we didn’t score
Silva’s boss echoed his sentiments, praising the Man City players for their attacking intensity.
They had 53 touches in the Sunderland box, the fifth-most of any Premier League side in an opposition penalty area this season.
“It was good. We will take the point,” said Guardiola.
“The second half was excellent. How many times were we in the six-yard box but we couldn’t convert? I am really pleased with the performance.
“It is a mystery [why we didn’t score]. We created a lot against that team in this stadium. We take the point, it is a long way to go.”
Black Cats still unbeaten at home after 10 matches
Guardiola’s opposite number, Regis Le Bris, acknowledged that Sunderland may have been a touch fortunate to finish the match with a point.
“I enjoyed it, we showed strong character against one of the best teams in Europe,” Le Bris said.
“It was important to defend well. We disturbed their routine, their flow, we created a few chances as well, it was a good game. We were a bit lucky sometimes, they have so many threats. It was a good point.
“This team has showed, from the beginning of the season, strong character. They can play good football. They know how to defend together, how to suffer together. They have many faces.”
Sitting seventh after 19 games on 29 points – 15 clear of the relegation zone – Sunderland can reasonably aim for more than purely securing their Premier League status.
Back in the top flight after the best part of a decade away, Sunderland have built their success on rock-solid home foundations, harnessing the raucous Stadium of Light atmosphere to make the place a fortress.
The Black Cats have won five and drawn five of their 10 home Premier League fixtures, taking a point off each of the current top three. League leaders Arsenal hold the only other unbeaten home record (won nine, drawn one).
Add to that a memorable away victory against Chelsea and a draw at Liverpool, and Sunderland have taken points off all of the Premier League’s top five.
For them right now, as it is for Man City in a slightly different sense, the only way is up.