City lose ground in title race

Reds, Spurs fire blanks as fans jeer the players

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected after the match against Sunderland. REUTERS

(REUTERS)

Manchester City trail Arsenal by four points at the top of the Premier League after failing to end Sunderland’s unbeaten home record in a 0-0 draw on Thursday, while Liverpool were also held by Leeds.

In a goal-shy start to 2026, three of the four New Year's Day fixtures ended without a goal as Tottenham also played out a 0-0 draw on Thomas Frank's return to Brentford.

City had won eight consecutive games to end 2025 and cut the gap on the Gunners to just two points.

But they were unable to respond to Arsenal's impressive 4-1 demolition of third-place Aston Villa on Tuesday despite creating a host of chances against a depleted Sunderland.

The Black Cats were without six players at the Africa Cup of Nations plus influential centre-back Dan Ballard due to injury.