Manchester City’s six-game Premier League winning run came to an end as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Sunderland side, who remain unbeaten at home this season (W5, D5). The result gives Arsenal a four-point lead heading into the first weekend of 2026.

City looked set to take an early lead when Bernardo Silva connected with Erling Haaland’s header, only for the effort to be disallowed for the tiniest offside margin. Despite sustained pressure from the visitors, Sunderland’s defensive duo of Trai Hume and Enzo Le Fee repeatedly launched quick counters, keeping Ruben Dias and City’s backline on alert.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action early, denying Brian Brobbey after the striker muscled past Dias. Sunderland’s intensity continued throughout the first half, winning the majority of one-on-ones and creating chances of their own. Hume’s effort flashed just wide, while Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki struggled to influence the game, and Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda caused constant problems for City.

Haaland came closest to breaking the deadlock before halftime, only for Robin Roefs to make a routine save from the striker’s low right-footed shot.

The second half maintained its end-to-end tempo, producing one of the Premier League’s most entertaining goalless draws in recent memory. Sunderland’s Savinho wasted a close-range opportunity and had another left-footed effort saved by Roefs. City responded with urgency, though Donnarumma thwarted Adingra and later produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Mayenda.

Late in the game, Roefs pulled off a point-blank reflex stop to deny Joško Gvardiol, and Nordi Mukiele’s face blocked Jeremy Doku’s shot as the match reached a frenetic climax. Despite the relentless attacking from both sides, the deadlock held. City have now avoided defeat in the opening league game of a calendar year since 2012, while Sunderland claimed their first point from eight Premier League encounters against City.