Sunderland extended their unbeaten Premier League home run to 10 matches and dented Manchester City's title charge with a gripping goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Régis Le Bris's side produced a tireless defensive display to hold Pep Guardiola's team at bay, denying them the victory they needed to cut Arsenal's lead back to two points.
Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday had turned the spotlight firmly on City, whose run of eight straight wins in all competitions was halted by a Sunderland side combining courage, organisation and no little quality. City dominated the ball, but the hosts carved chances of their own and the contest became a duel between two outstanding goalkeepers, Robin Roefs and Gianluigi Donnarumma, and a line of defenders prepared to put their bodies on the line.
For Sunderland, who were beaten 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium in early December and were again missing a clutch of players on Africa Cup of Nations duty, this stalemate felt a world away from that earlier defeat. For City, it was another reminder that the Stadium of Light has become one of the Premier League's most awkward destinations, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle and now Guardiola's men all leaving Wearside without a win this season.
Early Let-Offs And Warning Shots At Both Ends