Pep Guardiola questioned whether or not it was solely a two-horse Premier League title race, however his Manchester Metropolis facet can ill-afford many slip-ups of their quest to search out leaders Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have struck the most recent blow on this cat and mouse chase, 4 factors clear on the summit following Metropolis’s irritating goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday night time.

Metropolis dropped factors because the temperature on the Stadium of Gentle nearly hit freezing on the primary day of 2026.

And Arsenal might want to keep their cool if they’re to say their first top-flight crown in over 20 years.

Metropolis had 67% possession and 14 pictures within the North East, however had been unable to interrupt down a cussed Sunderland defence who claimed a well-earned level.

“Two completely different halves,” mentioned Metropolis captain Bernardo Silva after the sport. “Within the first half we did not play that effectively. We did not management the counter in addition to we must always.

“We attacked a bit too fast – we did not transfer them to seek out areas. Second half we had much more possibilities and at this time was a type of days we could not end them.

“We aren’t blissful as a result of we wished higher than this.”

As goalless attracts go, this was an completely entertaining one with each groups having possibilities to say all three factors.

The house followers grew in confidence because the match wore on however Metropolis couldn’t discover the important thing to unlock the defence as Sunderland maintained their spectacular unbeaten file at residence this season.

“If you happen to have a look at Sunderland‘s residence file I believe it is a level well-earned,” former Manchester Metropolis defender Steph Houghton mentioned on BBC Match of the Day.

“They [City] will total be dissatisfied due to the probabilities they created however if you happen to have a look at the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa, to go there and get some extent, we’re half manner via the season, there’s a lengthy, lengthy approach to go.”

Identical to Arsenal in November, Metropolis couldn’t beat the Black Cats.

And Sunderland boss Regis le Bris was understandably delighted by the consequence, saying: “I am having fun with [it]. I believe we confirmed robust character in opposition to most likely probably the greatest groups in Europe on the minute.

“It was vital to defend effectively. I believe we had been daring as a result of we tried to be aggressive and excessive up the pitch. I believe we disturbed their routine, possibly their circulate and it was actually vital.

“We created a couple of possibilities as effectively, so it was a superb sport.”