Pep Guardiola Laments After Manchester City Give Arsenal Title Race Advantage

Pep Guardiola cut a thoughtful figure as he reflected on another costly stumble in the Premier League title race, with his Manchester City side held to a frustrating goalless draw by Sunderland.

The result, played out in freezing conditions at the Stadium of Light on Thursday night, handed Arsenal the advantage, who now sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

City enjoyed 67 per cent possession and registered 14 attempts on goal, yet a disciplined and confident Sunderland defence stood firm to extend their impressive unbeaten home run this season. City pushed hard, especially after the break, but the breakthrough never came.

Following the goalless draw, Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports that his team suffered from failing to take advantage of their goal-scoring opportunities.

“The second half was excellent. We missed. We could not score in the six-yard box,” Guardiola said.

“How many times have we been in the six-yard box against the keeper or the other one and could not convert.

“Of course, the threat they have is that they are really good. Really pleased with the performances, especially in the second half.

“We create a lot against that team in this stadium, especially in the second half. In the first half, we struggled simply because we struggled against their pressing, but Rodri gave us the second pass, to break the lines, and we could run. The second half was much better.

“They are so physical. They’re so strong, so it’s not a surprise at that. We take the point. [It’s] a long way.

“The result is always what it is.”

Captain Bernardo Silva admitted City fell short of their own standards, admitting that he and his teammates were not happy about the draw.

“Two different halves,” he said. “In the first half, we didn’t play that well. We didn’t control the counter as well as we should.

“We attacked a bit too quickly, we didn’t move them to find spaces. In the second half, we had a lot more chances, and today was one of those days we couldn’t finish them.

“We are not happy because we wanted better than this.”