Man City draw 0-0 at Sunderland, leaving Arsenal with four-point lead in Premier League

Erling Haaland and Manchester City were frustrated in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday, leaving Arsenal with a four-point lead at the halfway mark of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Liverpool couldn't manage a goal against a promoted team, either, laboring to a 0-0 draw against Leeds United at home.

The stalemates highlighted the depth in England's top flight.

They also, maybe, showed why Arsenal have been able to push clear after 19 of 38 matches in their bid for a first league title since 2004, with Man City and Liverpool – the dominant forces in English football over the last decade – perhaps losing their old fluency going forward.

A low-scoring night produced draws all around, with Tottenham Hotspur held 0-0 at Brentford and Fulham scoring in the 80th minute to salvage a 1-1 result at Crystal Palace.

Man City's run over

Manchester City had been on an eight-game winning run in all competitions, but stumbled against stubborn Sunderland, who have drawn against Arsenal and beaten Newcastle at home over the last two months.

Norwegian striker Haaland had opportunities on both sides of halftime against the Black Cats, but couldn't add to his league-leading 19 goals.

Indeed, it was substitute defender Josko Gvardiol who came closest for City, flicking a shot against the post and having a header saved from point-blank range.

Spanish star Rodri, the former Ballon d'Or winner, made his return for City after two months out with a hamstring injury, entering the contest as a halftime substitute.

Liverpool underwhelms

Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to eight games, but underwhelmed again amid key absences up front.

Hugo Ekitike's misdirected header in front of the net in the first half was the only clear-cut chance at home for the Reds, who lacked inspiration on attack with Alexander Isak injured and Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool remained in fourth place, 12 points behind Arsenal, midway through a so-far-disappointing title defense.

Since a 4-1 home loss to Dutch visitors PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League on November 26, Liverpool have played seven games in the Premier League – winning four and drawing the other three.