Manchester City's Premier League title chase stumbled on Thursday as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light. Simultaneously, Liverpool's bid to gain ground on league leaders Arsenal was frustrated by a determined Leeds United, also resulting in a 0-0 stalemate at Anfield.
The draw leaves Manchester City four points behind Arsenal in the Premier League standings. City dominated possession against Sunderland but struggled to break down Regis Le Bris's organized defense. Bernardo Silva had a goal disallowed for offside early in the game. Despite introducing Rodri and Jeremy Doku after spells on the sidelines, and a late surge that saw Josko Gvardiol hit the post, City were unable to find a breakthrough. Sunderland's goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, made several crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet, contributing to Sunderland's impressive defensive record this season, conceding only one more goal than City.
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool's attacking woes continued as they failed to find the net against Leeds United. Despite Liverpool having the lion's share of possession and a flurry of shots, they couldn't find a way past Leeds' inspired defense. Hugo Ekitike missed a golden opportunity in the first half, and despite substitutions made by manager Arne Slot, Liverpool's attack remained toothless. A late goal by Leeds' substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out for offside. Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk described the draw as "frustrating," highlighting the team's failure to create enough clear-cut chances. This result extends Liverpool's winless run against newly promoted sides to three games.
The stalemate at Anfield marked Liverpool's first 0-0 draw in 117 matches across all competitions, a statistic that underscores their recent struggles in front of goal. Liverpool had 34 attempts but failed to score, their highest number of shots in a Premier League match without scoring since 2003-04. The draw allowed Liverpool to move three points clear of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for a top-four spot, but they missed an opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal.
The results highlight the competitive nature of the Premier League, where even the top teams can be frustrated by well-organized opponents. Arsenal currently leads the Premier League, with Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool trailing behind. Sunderland remains in 7th position. Leeds United's hard-fought point at Anfield moves them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
