Manchester City has not managed to overcome Sunderland. Manager Pep Guardiola’s team did not get further than 0-0 against the PhD student.
Nathan Aké seemed to start the new year dramatically within five minutes. The Dutch international stepped and appeared to have been injured. His replacement, Josko Gvardiol, was already ready to come on. To the surprise of everyone, Aké was able to continue playing and the Croat had to sit back on the bench. There he was joined by Tijjani Reijnders, who was important on Saturday with a goal against Nottingham Forest. City seemed to be able to cheer after all in the opening phase. Bernardo Silva tapped the ball into the goal, but did so from an offside position.
In the remainder of the match it was mainly thanks to Robin Roefs that the score remained 0-0. The Sunderland goalkeeper distinguished himself several times by saving shots from Erling Haaland and Savinho. Roefs was transfixed by Gvardiol’s shot. Fortunately for Sunderland, the ball hit the post. On the other hand, the PhD student got a decent chance through Wilson Isidor. Replacing Brian Brobbey, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma turned his attempt. Reijnders was allowed to come on in the final phase. He could not prevent City from losing points.
Due to the goalless draw against promoted Sunderland, the difference with Arsenal increases to four points. The next match for the Citiziens is against Chelsea next Sunday. Sunderland is in a respectable seventh place, just one point less than Manchester United.
