Manchester City were held to a goalless draw thanks to an incredible rearguard performance by Sunderland to fall four points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side had seen the Gunners underline their credentials by taking apart in-form contenders Aston Villa on Tuesday, but went home frustrated following the entertaining draw at the Stadium of Light.
City had given Sunderland an early warning sign when Bernardo Silva’s close-range finish from Erling Haaland’s flick-on was ruled out for offside inside the opening six minutes, though the away side’s best chance in the first half fell to Haaland – who struck straight at Robin Roefs from 12 yards.
The hosts were holding firm but did have opportunities of their own – Brian Brobbey outmuscled Ruben Dias to a long ball over the top, but could only strike straight at the towering frame of Gianluigi Donnarumma, while on the verge of half-time, Trai Hume’s glancing header sailed narrowly over.
Midfielder Rodri returned to action for City at the start of the second half, replacing Nico Gonzalez, but City were left frustrated as Jeremy Doku was denied by the magnificent Nordi Mukiele taking a strike to his face, while Josko Gvardiol’s flicked effort clipped the post.
Donnarumma sprung down to claw out Eliezer Mayenda’s low shot but neither side were able to find a winner, as Sunderland claimed a well-earned point to preserve their unbeaten record at home this season.
As the Sunderland players and supporters decked in red and white celebrated an excellent point at full-time, those of an Arsenal persuasion down in the capital will have been feeling in a similarly cheerful mood.
A cat and mouse title race looks to be developing between City and Arsenal, but it is the Gunners who have struck the first blow by going clear at the top at the turn of the year – with City’s eight-game winning streak coming to an end.
City had 67.6% possession and 14 shots, though only four were on target, and will rue not being able to test home goalkeeper Roefs more in the contest.
It is not only the dropped points which will be of concern to Guardiola, but the injury issues which so badly derailed last season are threatening to come into the equation again.
Gonzalez suffered a blow to his knee and was replaced at the interval by Rodri, who made a return to action having played only one minute in the past three months because of a hamstring issue.
Brazil winger Savinho also hobbled off in the second half, after somehow scooping over from close range and seeing another effort kept out by Roefs’ outstretched leg, while defender Nathan Ake was able to continue after an injury scare early in the game.
Gvardiol’s instinctive effort which came off the woodwork was the closest City came to breaking the deadlock, but they will have to make do with starting January with a point, in a month where they will play a further eight matches.
“Who are ya?” were the shouts from the Sunderland faithful at the end, as their side continued their superb return to the top flight – despite missing five players who remain on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, bitter rivals Newcastle and now City have all come here without being able to take home all three points, showcasing how well drilled the side are under Regis le Bris.
At their heart of their remarkable clean sheet was French defender Mukiele, who shackled Haaland for much of the contest and contributed three tackles and five clearances – showcasing why he has played at Paris St-Germain, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen during his career.
Sunderland could have claimed a memorable victory but Brobbey and Mayenda missed the most presentable chances that fell their way, denied by Donnarumma on both occasions.
Though they have won only two of their past nine games, Sunderland sit seventh in the table and are just one point adrift of Manchester United and Chelsea directly above them.
Sunderland: Regis le Bris’ side travel to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s men host managerless Chelsea on the same day (kick-off 17:30).
