Man City & Liverpool Draw: Premier League Results

Erling Haaland and Manchester City ended in frustration after drawing 0-0 with Sunderland on Thursday, leaving Arsenal four points clear at the halfway point of the Premier League season.

Liverpool were also unable to score against a newly promoted team, struggling to a 0-0 draw against Leeds at Anfield.

The draws highlighted the depth of the force in England’s lucrative top flight.

They also showed why Arsenal have been able to pull away after 19 of 38 games in their bid to win their first league title since 2004, after City and Liverpool – the dominant forces in English football over the past decade – having lost their former attacking fluidity.

There were ties everywhere on a night of few goals. Tottenham drew 0-0 at Brentford and Fulham scored in the 80th minute to draw 1-1 against Crystal Palace.

City’s streak ends

City were on an eight-match winning streak in all competitions but stumbled against an opponent who have drawn against Arsenal and beaten Newcastle at home in the last two months.

Haaland had chances either side of half-time against a stubborn Sunderland side but was unable to add to his 19 goals for the campaign.

In fact, it was substitute defender Josko Gvardiol who came closest for City, deflecting a shot against the post and having a header saved from close range.

Rodri, the former Ballon d’Or winner, returned to City after two months out with a hamstring injury when he came on as a half-time substitute.

Liverpool disappoints

Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to eight games but disappointed again due to key absences up front.

Hugo Ekitike’s deflected header in front of goal in the first half was the only clear chance at Anfield for Liverpool, who lacked inspiration in attack with Alexander Isak injured and Mohamed Salah in the African Cup of Nations.

The defending champions remained in fourth place and are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal in a disappointing title defense.

Since a 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on November 26, Liverpool have played seven games in the domestic league, winning four of them and drawing the other three. However, they have struggled to find fluidity, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot placing extra emphasis on being more solid in defense after the team’s early season struggles.

“This season, on multiple occasions we have conceded a goal in a game like this and that is a positive thing today,” Slot said.

The other result in the recent unbeaten streak was a victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Palace in trouble

Jean-Philippe Mateta put Palace ahead with a header against Fulham, only for Tom Cairney to equalize for the visitors.

That left Palace without a win in six games in all competitions, with the absence of regulars such as Daniel Muñoz, Chris Richards (both injured) and Ismaila Sarr (in the African Cup) having a big impact.