Sunderland draw was 'one of those days', says Bernardo | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva believes it was one of those days where chances simply would not convert to goals for City as we played out an entertaining goalless Premier League draw with Sunderland.

Match Report

City held to goalless draw at Sunderland to begin 2026

Bernardo had the ball in the net inside six minutes at a raucous Stadium of Light, only to be denied by the offside flag, before Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs denied Erling Haaland’s strike.

Roefs was in inspired form after the interval, also denying Savinho and producing a remarkable reflex save to divert Josko Gvardiol’s close-range header around the post.

Gvardiol also saw an acrobatic flick clip the outside of the post as Pep Guardiola’s men pushed hard for a winner, but the hosts clung on for a hard-earned point.

50% off home kits - Buy now!

Skipper Bernardo was content with the team’s display and chance creation, but believes it was one of those evenings where the final action was just not landing in our favour.

“Two different halves. I would say in the first half we didn’t play that well, we didn’t control the counters as well as we should,” he began. “We attacked a bit too quick, we didn’t move them to then find the spaces.

“Then second half we had a lot of chances. Today was one of those days we could not finish the chances. It’s fine, it’s a point. Obviously we’re not happy because we wanted better than this. It’s still a long season.

“It’s football, isn’t it? You can’t be perfect every time, every half and every minute. We know that. The team is showing a lot of resilience at the minute in the moments that we don’t play that well, we’re still very consistent and we’re still very stable. Today I thought once again we were that.

“Unfortunately we missed the last step to score our chances but that’s the game.”

The draw means we’re now four points behind league-leaders Arsenal, whilst Sunderland continue their unbeaten start to the league season at home, and Bernardo reserved some praise for the Black Cats after the game.

“They’re a good team. It’s no coincidence they’re unbeaten at home this season. It’s a good crowd, but it’s the Premier League. I’ve been here nine years so no surprise for me or for us. We’re quite used to this.

“A lot of credit to them, but we’re fighting for the title, we’re trying to stay as close as possible to the top, so we need to also win these kinds of games. Unfortunately we didn’t. Onto the next one.”