Pep Guardiola said Manchester City should take real encouragement from their 0–0 draw with Sunderland on New Year’s Day, even though the result itself was disappointing.
City had to settle for a point at the Stadium of Light despite controlling long spells of the match, with Sunderland’s well-organised back line refusing to give anything away.
The stalemate means City lost further ground in the title race — especially after Arsenal’s emphatic win over Aston Villa — but there was no sense of panic coming from Guardiola or his squad.
Once again, the game followed a familiar script, with City dominating possession and territory but failing to turn control into goals. Bernardo Silva had an early effort chalked off for offside, and Erling Haaland missed a good opportunity before the break.
Sunderland also posed problems on the counter, preventing City from relaxing defensively. Still, there were positives, particularly in midfield, where Rodri’s introduction after half-time restored the control and calm Guardiola often highlights as crucial during the hectic winter period.
City stepped up the pressure in the second half, and chances for Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku showed just how narrow the gap was between control and a breakthrough.
After the match, Guardiola struck an unexpectedly positive tone.
“That’s good — we take the point. The second half was excellent,” he said. “We had so many chances from close range and couldn’t score.
“They are a very dangerous team, but I’m really happy with how we played, especially after the break.”
Asked why his team struggled to finish, Guardiola replied: “That’s the mystery — I don’t have an answer.
“We created a lot in this stadium against this opponent, particularly in the second half. In the first half we struggled with their pressing, but Rodri helped us find that extra pass and break their lines. After that, we could attack with more freedom.”
In his press conference, Guardiola went even further.
“I’m very proud of how we played here, in a tough stadium against a tough opponent. We did everything we could to win, but it didn’t happen.”
When questioned about frustration, he brushed it aside: “No. I’m old enough not to be frustrated by a football result.”
City now face a demanding run of matches both domestically and in Europe, with little time to recover.
Guardiola is expected to continue rotating his squad, especially with defensive injuries starting to mount. While dropped points like this could matter later in the season, the manager’s reaction suggests belief inside the camp remains strong.
If City can add sharper finishing to performances of this level, the draw at Sunderland may eventually be seen as a stepping stone rather than a setback.
