Arsenal may have settled for a single point in this encounter, which might seem acceptable in the broader context of a Premier League title race. However, it was Sunderland who needed a last-minute effort to secure a draw on that particular day. In contrast, during this match, Manchester City found themselves fortunate to leave with a draw.

Consider the fact that Regis Le Bris’ squad was missing several key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations, and it becomes evident that Pep Guardiola may view this as two points lost rather than one gained. This result positions City four points behind Arsenal halfway through the season.

Equally troubling for Guardiola as the result should be the inconsistent performance from his team, especially following an impressive streak of eight consecutive victories across all competitions. The stability at the top of the table seems precarious, not due to any weakness in North London, but rather due to City’s own vulnerabilities.

Playing at the Stadium of Light, City appeared unsettled. While their title ambitions remain intact—one draw against a formidable home team doesn’t derail a squad of this caliber—this performance was far from convincing. City’s moments of dominance were brief, flanking a match where Le Bris’ team exhibited more tenacity and energy. The match offered more excitement than the final scoreline might indicate.

“It was a really good game,” Guardiola reflected, choosing celebration over disappointment. “We take the point. We were in the six-yard box countless times but couldn’t score. Given their strength, I’m satisfied with our performance, particularly in the second half. They are physical, they’re strong. We take the point.”

Erling Haaland was kept at bay as Sunderland held Man City to a 0-0 draw on New Year’s Day

Sunderland still have not lost a Premier League match at the Stadium of Light this season

It seemed ominous when City dominated possession from the outset and scored within six minutes, only for the goal to be disallowed due to Bernardo Silva being offside. This initial dominance soon gave way to opportunities for Sunderland. Despite City’s early territorial advantage, they found themselves entrenched in the opponent’s half without the finishing touch.

Savinho was seeing plenty of the ball and doing nothing with it. Erling Haaland was not seeing much of anything at all, bar the imposing presence of minder Nordi Mukiele. At just £9.5m from PSG, the centre-back would perhaps rank as the best value signing of the summer, had Sunderland not got Granit Xhaka for only a few million more from Leverkusen. The captain orchestrated his side’s revival.

With Sunderland suddenly on top, Guardiola waved his annoyance when Matheus Nunes cleared carelessly – the manager wanted a pass, not a punt – and from that City needed Ruben Dias to beat Brian Brobbey to Trai Hume’s cross inside the six-yard area. Dias was too smart on that occasion but, when it became a battle of body and not mind, Brobbey was soon the victor. 

The pair fought in pursuit of a ball over the top. Dias fell at the feet of the stronger man and Brobbey was only denied an opening goal by the legs of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper stayed down and signalled for treatment, but it felt as much like a cunning timeout. City needed it. Their fans had asked the home crowd as to the whereabouts of their ‘famous atmosphere’ after the dominant start. Well, now they had it.

Next it was Phil Foden infuriating Guardiola and stoking still further the locals. He did pass rather than clear inside his own area – the problem was his short ball went straight to Sunderland’s Eliezer Mayenda, whose snap shot was deflected wide. 

Foden soon corrected his error at the other end and, belatedly, we had City’s first effort on target in the 37th minute, Haaland connecting with his team-mate’s pull-back only for Robin Roefs to repel his low steer. It was one of only three touches in the penalty area for Haaland before half-time, and so it was an interval that arrived not a moment too soon City, especially given the scare of Hume heading narrowly over from Xhaka’s cross in stoppage-time.

Guardiola responded by bringing on Ballon D’Or winner Rodri at the break, but City’s improvement was not immediate. Savinho swiped hopelessly over from Ryan Cherki’s centre and it was not long before the Brazilian was replaced by Jeremy Doku, albeit with an injury that Guardiola says ‘does not look good’. 

Forward-thinking left back Josko Gvardiol was then thrown on before the hour but, for all the changes, nothing changed. Donnarumma was again needed to keep out Mayenda after Enzo Le Fee had opened up City’s defence.

For Manchester City, they could only close the gap to Arsenal by a point at the top of the table

Jeremy Doku was denied a certain goal by the face of the outstanding Nordi Mukiele late on

It was only inside the final 25 minutes that City began to reverse the direction of play, and Guardiola’s substitutes showed the motivation behind their introduction. In what was their best chance, Gvardiol strode unnoticed between the home centre backs and Rodri landed the ball on his brow from deep. 

It looked as if the Croatian had twisted his frame to turn the game when looping a header on goal, only for Roefs to flip behind for a corner. Gvardiol later hit the post and Doku was denied a certain goal by the face of the outstanding Mukiele.

The French defender was again on the scene during a goalmouth scramble in the final minute, but by then we knew it was not to be City’s night. They cannot afford too many more like this if they are to surge past Arsenal, in what could yet be the final leg of Guardiola’s journey.