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

China’s Zeng Ping won the silver medal in the women’s individual large hill event at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Oberstdorf, Germany, marking another historic breakthrough for Chinese ski jumping. Competing on her 21st birthday, Zeng scored 257.7 points, improving on her previous record sixth-place finish and strengthening her bid for qualification for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

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. Josko Gvardiol (L) of Manchester City takes a shot against Sunderland in a Premier League match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, January 1, 2026. /VCG Josko Gvardiol (L) of Manchester City takes a shot against Sunderland in a Premier League match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, January 1, 2026. /VCG 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. Hugo Ekitike (L) of Liverpool controls the ball against Leeds United in a Premier League match at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, January 1, 2026. /VCG Hugo Ekitike (L) of Liverpool controls the ball against Leeds United in a Premier League match at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, January 1, 2026. /VCG 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.

Erling Haaland’s Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday, while Liverpool also drew 0-0 at home against Leeds United, allowing Arsenal to extend their lead to four points at the halfway mark of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Tottenham and Fulham also played out low-scoring draws, highlighting the competitive depth of England’s top flight.

City’s eight-game winning run ended despite chances for Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, with Rodri returning from injury as a halftime substitute. Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to eight games but struggled offensively due to absences including Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, leaving them 12 points behind Arsenal in fourth place.

Credit : CGTN