CATS ARE PURRFECT

Magnificent Mackems give Guardiola New Year Blues as Gunners get title boost

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

WHEN Pep Guardiola pictured what Rodri's return to action would be, it can't have been anything like this.

Having missed two months of action since his last aborted comeback, City's star midfielder was rushed into the action on a bitterly cold night at the Stadium of Light with the Premier League contenders struggling to hold it together against this year's upstarts.

Nathan Ake had nearly been forced off in the third minute, Nico Gonzalez barely made it to the break before Rodri was called upon and Savinho had to be taken off almost as soon as the second half started.

As if he didn't know it already, Guardiola was shown again what a slog it is to try to go the distance in a title race.

In those circumstances, City will cherish the goalless draw and point they fought for that leaves them four behind leaders Arsenal at the halfway point of the season.