The first day of 2026 was one of draws in the Premier League. After Crystal Palace-Fulham, Liverpool-Leeds and Brentford-Tottenham, there was also no winner in Sunderland-Manchester City and, interestingly, this was the third draw, only the first game ended with goals (1-1).
Naturally, Pep Guardiola’s team came into the game stronger and even scored, but Bernardo Silva’s goal didn’t count. The Portuguese international thought he had scored his first goal in this edition of the English league, but he was in an irregular position when Haaland headed in a corner from Cherki, just by a backheel.
From then on, the citizens They lost steam until the end of the first half and it was the hosts, with the great support of their fans, who provided a fantastic atmosphere in the stands, who caused the most danger. The duels between Brobbey and Rúben Dias were highlighted in the first 45 minutes and in one play the Portuguese even went to the ground, but Donnarumma prevented the goal.
This game was also marred by injuries. In the first few seconds, Aké, who replaced Gvardiol in defense, fell to the ground clutching his knee, even close to letting out a few tears, but it was just a scare and he ended up continuing, despite the Croatian being ready to enter. In the 28th minute, it was Nico González’s turn to ask for medical assistance, but he also returned to the field, although he left at half-time for Rodri, perhaps as a precaution.
At the beginning of the second half, Savinho, one of the players most involved in the game, was also injured after wasting an opportunity to score and forcing a major intervention from Roefs. In his place came Doku, returning from injury, as well as Rodri, who hadn’t played for two months. Both goalkeepers were good between the posts and held the score to zero.
&format=webp)
Savinho suffered an injury in the second half
Also noteworthy is a move by Gvardiol who, following a cross from Matheus Nunes, was scoring a great backheel, reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the ball hit the post and went out. That was in the 74th minute and from then on it was all Man. City, while Sunderland defended the goal with 11 players to hold on to the point.
After the final whistle, the fans celebrated this draw. Thus, City is now four points behind isolated leaders Arsenal, also losing the possibility of escaping Aston Villa, while Sunderland is one point behind Chelsea and Manchester United, in seventh place.
Sunderland’s next opponent is Tottenham, who also came from behind to draw at Brentford, in a very balanced duel in every sense and which marked Thomas Frank’s return to the home he has owned in recent years. João Palhinha was a starter in the spurs.
