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| Wasteful in Front of Goal, Guardiola Laments Man City’s Missed Chances Against Sunderland. |
Manchester City had to settle for just one point after being held to a frustrating draw away at Sunderland. Despite dominating the game and creating plenty of chances, Pep Guardiola’s side failed to score a single goal, leaving the manager openly disappointed after the final whistle.
Playing at the Stadium of Light, Manchester City controlled nearly two-thirds of possession and fired 14 shots toward goal. On paper, it looked like a match City should have won comfortably. Their expected goals (xG) reached 2.25, a clear sign of how many quality chances they produced.
But football is not played on statistics alone. Finishing is everything, and on this night, City simply could not turn dominance into goals.
Guardiola Highlights Poor Finishing
Pep Guardiola did not hide his frustration when speaking after the match. According to him, the main issue was City’s inability to convert chances from close range.
“We couldn’t score from inside the six-yard box,” Guardiola said. “We missed too many chances there, and they weren’t difficult ones. We just couldn’t finish them.”
He also admitted that his team did not fully execute the game plan in the first half, even though the performance improved after the break.
“The second half was much better. The players gave everything. Of course, they feel disappointed, but we have to keep our heads up. In three days, we have a very tough game against Chelsea,” he added.
Plenty of Chances, No Goals
City actually thought they had taken an early lead through Bernardo Silva, but the goal was ruled out for offside. From that moment on, it became one-way traffic.
Savinho and Josko Gvardiol both came close, only to be denied by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who delivered an excellent performance. Late in the game, last-ditch defending from the home side also blocked efforts from Jeremy Doku and Gvardiol.
This match marked a rare and frustrating milestone for City. It was their highest xG in a Premier League game without scoring since March 2022. Their eight-match winning streak in all competitions also came to an end.
Sunderland Keep Their Home Record Intact
For Sunderland, the draw felt like a big result. They managed to protect their unbeaten home record this season by staying compact, disciplined, and resilient against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in England.
Even under constant pressure, Sunderland did not panic. Their defensive organization and fighting spirit proved crucial in keeping City at bay.
Bernardo Silva: Second Half Was Better
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva agreed that his team’s performance was uneven across the two halves.
“It was two very different halves,” Silva said. “In the first half, we didn’t play that well. We didn’t control the counterattacks properly and attacked too quickly without moving them enough to create space.”
According to Silva, City showed clear improvement after halftime.
“In the second half, we created a lot more chances. But today was just one of those days when the ball didn’t want to go in. We’re not happy because we wanted more than this result,” he explained.
A Point That Feels Like Two Lost
The draw meant Manchester City missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal. Instead of gaining ground, they were left feeling they had let an important opportunity slip away.
Still, Guardiola emphasized that his team must move on quickly. With a packed schedule and a big match ahead, there is no time to dwell on frustration.
Football can be cruel. When dominance and chances are not matched with goals, the result can feel harsh. For Manchester City, this match served as a clear reminder that efficiency in front of goal remains vital, no matter how impressive the performance looks on paper.