Thursday’s Premier League matches saw two goalless draws that complicated the race for the top positions, after Manchester City stumbled against Sunderland and Liverpool’s winning streak was halted by Leeds United.
Hopes of chasing the top spot suffered a new blow, as they could only manage a scoreless draw away to Sunderland, who continued their strong home form this season, maintaining their unbeaten record.
The Video Assistant Referee disallowed an early goal for City scored by Bernardo Silva in the 6th minute for offside, while the hosts wasted a dangerous chance through Brian Brobbey in the 19th minute.
City imposed their control in the second half and missed several clear opportunities, most notably from Savinho. The introduction of Josko Gvardiol provided a clear attacking boost, but the brilliance of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Rovs and solid defensive organization denied the visitors a winning goal.
In another match, they halted the winning streak of the defending champions, forcing a goalless draw in an evenly-matched encounter with few chances.
With this result, Liverpool increased their tally to 33 points in fourth place, trailing fifth-placed Chelsea by three points and sixth-placed Manchester United by a similar margin. They are now 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Leeds increased their tally to 21 points in 16th place, moving seven points clear of the relegation zone.
These two draws further complicate the Premier League title race as a crucial stage of the season approaches.
Manchester City
Manchester City is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). The club has a rich history, achieving major domestic and European success in the 21st century following transformative investment, including multiple Premier League titles and a historic continental treble in 2023.
Sunderland
Sunderland is a city in Northeast England historically known for its shipbuilding and coal-mining industries, which drove its growth during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is recognized for its cultural sites like the National Glass Centre, reflecting its historical glass-making heritage, and the Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland A.F.C.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a historic port city in northwest England, which grew to global prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries due to its pivotal role in the transatlantic trade, including the slave trade. Its maritime history is celebrated at the UNESCO-listed Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City, while the city is also internationally renowned as the birthplace of The Beatles.
Leeds United
Leeds United is a professional football club based in Leeds, England, founded in 1919. The club enjoyed its greatest period of success under manager Don Revie in the 1960s and 70s, winning multiple domestic trophies and reaching the 1975 European Cup Final.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a historic and affluent district in West London, known for its association with the arts and the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Its history includes being a fashionable village outside London since the 16th century and a hub for artists and writers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The area is also home to the Chelsea Football Club, founded in 1905.
Manchester United
Manchester United is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported football teams, having won a record 20 English league titles and three European Cups, with its modern era of dominance heavily associated with the managerial tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson from 1986 to 2013.
Arsenal
The Arsenal is a historic military complex in Venice, Italy, founded in the early 12th century. It was the heart of the Venetian Republic’s naval power, functioning as a state-owned shipyard that pioneered early assembly-line production techniques to build and maintain its formidable fleet.
Premier League
The Premier League is the top level of the English football league system, founded in 1992 when clubs in the Football League First Division broke away to capitalize on lucrative television rights deals. It has since grown into one of the world’s most popular and commercially successful sports leagues, known for its global audience and competitive nature.
