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Manchester City lost ground to Arsenal in the Premier League title race after being held by a dynamic and superbly coached Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked the team most likely 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 run.
Erling Haaland was sent off as City dropped points to leave Arsenal four points clear at the halfway point of the season.
Guardiola saw winger Savinho, who was linked to a move this month, he returned with an injury but was able to welcome Rodri in the second half.
Trai Hume glanced a header before the break and Savinho and Eliezer Mayenda both went close in the second half before substitute Gvardiol hit the post 16 minutes from normal time.
You can relive live text updates of the match here.
Both teams will next be in action on Sunday, when Sunderland travel to Tottenham (3:00 p.m. GMT) and City host Chelsea (5:30 p.m.).
Sunderland team against Manchester City
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was injured, so left-back Dennis Cirkin started again and Nordi Mukiele continued at centre-back.
Striker Eliezer Mayenda replaced Chris Rigg in their only change since their 1-1 home draw with Leeds United four days earlier.
Luke O’Nien returned to the bench after a three-match suspension for being sent off during the 3–0 defeat at City on December 6, and central defender Aji Alese suffered a shoulder injury.
Reinildo Mandava was present at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Mozambique, as was midfielder Habib Diarra with Senegal, striker Bertrand Traoré as captain of Burkina Faso and winger Chemsdine Talbi, representing Morocco.
Defender or midfielder Noah Sadiki and left back Arthur Masuaku were present at the tournament with DR Congo.
Sunderland starting eleven: Robin Roefs, Hume Tree, Mukiele North, Omar Alderete, Cirkin Dennis, Mayenda Eliezer, Frathing Xhaka, Enzo de la Foi, Lutsharel Geertruid,
Sunderland substitutes: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, Luke O’Nien, Romaine Mundle, Wilson Isidor, Leo Hjelde, Harrison Jones, Tymur Tutierov
Man City team against Sunderland
City replaced Josko Gvardiol with Nathan Ake in defense 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 central defender John Stones were expected to return this month.
Algerian striker Rayan Ait-Nouri and Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush were present at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester City starting lineup: Gianluigi Donnaumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Relly, 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, Reagan Heskey
Premier League results today
Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, Liverpool were aiming for a fourth straight victory when Leeds United headed to Anfield and Crystal Palace were seeking a first win in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who had won their previous three league matches, traveled to 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 1st
Sunderland 0-0 Man City
