Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City: Black Cats extend unbeaten home run to snap City’s winning streak | OneFootball

Manchester City’s winning run was brought to an abrupt halt on Wearside as Sunderland held Pep Guardiola’s side to a disciplined goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.

The result prevented City from cutting into the gap at the top of the Premier League table after Arsenal had earlier extended their advantage with a convincing win over Aston Villa.

The visitors arrived on the north-east coast having won eight successive matches in all competitions, but they were met by a Sunderland side determined to protect an imposing home record that remains intact this season.

City thought they had taken an early lead when Bernardo Silva turned in Erling Haaland’s flick-on inside six minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for a marginal offside after a VAR review.

That reprieve settled the hosts, who grew into the contest and matched City physically and tactically across the first half.

Haaland went closest for City before the interval, but his effort from 12 yards was kept out by Robin Roefs, who produced a composed display between the posts.

Sunderland also carried a threat of their own, with Brian Brobbey using his strength to break through Ruben Dias before forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save.

Trai Hume then glanced a header narrowly over on the stroke of half-time as the home side continued to test City’s defensive concentration.

Guardiola introduced Rodri at the start of the second half in a bid to assert greater control, but City continued to encounter a well-organised and aggressive defensive unit.

Jeremy Doku was denied by a brave block from Nordi Mukiele, while Josko Gvardiol came closest to breaking the deadlock when his flicked effort struck the post.

At the other end, Donnarumma was required to react sharply to claw away Eliezer Mayenda’s low shot after Sunderland broke forward with purpose.

Savinho squandered a presentable chance late on for City, summing up a frustrating evening in front of goal for the visitors despite their territorial dominance.

City finished the contest with nearly 70 per cent possession but were limited to four shots on target, underlining Sunderland’s defensive discipline.

The draw leaves Guardiola’s side four points adrift of Arsenal, who will welcome City’s stumble to strengthen their grip on the title race.

For Sunderland, the result reinforced the Stadium of Light’s growing reputation as a difficult venue and extended their unbeaten home league run this season.

It was a point earned through organisation, resilience and concentration, and one celebrated loudly by a home crowd fully aware of its wider significance.