Sunderland preserved their impressive unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light with a hard-fought goalless draw against Manchester City on Thursday, hampering Pep Guardiola's pursuit of league leaders Arsenal and leaving Manchester City trailing by four points at the season's midpoint.

The match proved a tense affair, with Sunderland's back line holding strong despite City's control of the ball for much of the time.

The visitors fashioned a number of threatening moments, notably an early Bernardo Silva finish chalked off for a marginal offside decision following a VAR review.

City turned up the heat in the second half, as substitute Josko Gvardiol rattled the woodwork and Erling Haaland forced a sharp stop from Sunderland custodian Robin Roefs.

Yet the home side's disciplined shape and vital interventions from Roefs ensured no breakthrough, extending their home league unbeaten streak to 10 games. This was remarkable feat for a side back in the top flight.

The result ended Manchester City's streak of eight successive victories across all competitions, leaving them rueing wasted chances in a game where they generated considerable expected goals.

Sunderland, sitting seventh, continue to eye European spots, bolstered by the vocal backing of their supporters and the tactical nous of manager Régis Le Bris, who highlighted his team's disruption of City's usual flow.

In the day's earlier kick-off, Liverpool were held to a disappointing 0-0 stalemate by Leeds United at Anfield, as the visitors' resolute defending earned a valuable point and stretched their own unbeaten sequence to six matches.

Arne Slot's side, arriving on the back of four consecutive wins, controlled possession and territory but struggled to penetrate a well-drilled Leeds rearguard.

From the outset, Liverpool pressed intensely, yet genuine scoring opportunities remained scarce against a compact and committed opposition.

Leeds executed their strategy flawlessly, staying organised, pressing aggressively in moments, and posing occasional danger on breaks.

Their goalkeeper and defenders handled deliveries and dead-ball situations adeptly, while the midfield battle limited Liverpool to long-range attempts.

The second half saw Liverpool inject pace with substitutions and mount sustained pressure, including late efforts from distance, but Leeds maintained their composure and discipline deep into stoppage time.

The visitors' maturity shone through, securing a clean sheet that underlines their growing assurance under Daniel Farke.

For Liverpool, the draw feels like points squandered on home pitch, exposing ongoing concerns over unlocking low blocks despite solid defensive work.

Leeds, meanwhile, gain further momentum in their bid for survival, demonstrating they can match the division's elite on their travels.

Three teams that were promoted from the Championship at the end of the 2024–25 season are Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley. Leeds United and Burnley secured automatic promotion (finishing 1st and 2nd) while Sunderland won the playoff final.

They replaced Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton, who were relegated.