Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City: Premier League – as it happened

Here’s Louise Taylor’s report from the Stadium of Light.

Pep Guardiola spoke to the BBC: “The amount of chances we missed in the six-yard box, not difficult ones, we could not convert. We didn’t do what we talked about in the first half but in general it was a really good game.

“To break the lines, have the composure to break them. It was better second half, the guys did everything. They are a bit heads down but we have to be heads up because in three days we have a difficult game against Chelsea.

“We created enough chances, we played good second half. The commitment, the desire, the first half was different. We created enough – the two chances from Savinho in the second half, Jeremy [Doku], Josko [Gvardiol], Phil [Foden] and Erling [Haaland]. We had a lot but unfortunately we could not do it.”

Bill Muskett gets in touch: “From the pessimistic glass half empty view, Sunderland are 6 points or two losses off 15th. The other results this week kept them in seventh. But that middle section of the league is very tight.”

Granit Xhaka spoke to Sky Sports: “It’s just the energy, our dressing room is so positive. We have such good energy with the staff, with the players. In the end, the results speak for ourselves because we are putting a lot of effort day by day, week by week. I think we can be very happy for the moment after the first round.”

David Hytner was at Brentford to see Thomas Frank’s homecoming.

Kari Tulinius is back in touch: “Sunderland are one point off fifth, which would probably mean a champions league place. I wouldn’t bet against them getting there.”

Here’s the Premier League table at the halfway stage of the season.

Joshua Keeling gets back in touch: “As a neutral, I *love* watching Sunderland play. There is an energy and buzz about them that is infectious. They must be horrible to play against.”

Premier League scores today:

Like Serie A in the glory days….

Pep Guardiola was not happy with that, though did at least offer handshakes to the Sunderland players. In the stand, it’s a celebration of a 0-0 draw, which is a rarity. Sunderland are here to stay.

We close out with Donnarumma getting involved with Sunderland players. That was tense and exciting, Sunderland deserved their point, and never let City make the chances they needed to win. There will be celebrations in Islington at that.

90+4 min: Is this the one, Cherki plays in Reijnders, and he goes for goal. When he looks up, Haaland is glowering. That ball was meant for him…City cannot find a way through.

90+3 min: Sunderland look for the winner now, Le Fee and Isidor swinging at the ball, Mundle robbed as he tries to find a way through.

90+2 min: Donnarumma goes out on safari to show off his lesser spotted ball skills to close off a pass meant for Isidor.

90+1 min: Just four minutes added on to this breathless affair. Cheers as Doku and Foden are forced back.

90 min: More scrambling, Haaland pulling the ball down with a go-go gadget extended leg but unable to find a teammate as Sunderland defenders throw everything at keeping out City.

89 min: Oh my, a madcap scramble in the Sunderland box, and the ball fell to Gvardiol in the box, only to rebound off red and white shirts, and finally to safety.

87 min: Ake’s mistake sets the excitement levels up, but Isidor and Le Fee can never quite find the next, crucial step towards goal. It takes an Alderete tackle to rob a galloping Haaland, who was smelling blood.

86 min: As 0-0 games go, this has been OK. More absorbing than your average intriguing tactical battle. And it’s not done just yet.

85 min: Reijnders is coming on in the search for a winning goal, and during a break for a knock to Trai Hume. Bernardo Silva leaves the scene.

83 min: Sunderland finding that attacks are strictly rationed but here they come….only for City to find a shape that forces Xhaka to curb his attacking instincts and play the ball backwards.

81 min: Doku makes the byline but his cross loops only to Xhaka, who shows his cool in nodding back to his goalkeeper. Isidor makes a run into the City box, and squares up with Donnarumma but the angle is closed off.

80 min: Frustration for Foden, who hasn’t been front and centre in this big push, as his attempts drifts behind the goal.

78 min: Joshua Keeling gets in touch: “Guardiola has got a nerve shaking his head at Sunderland not giving the ball back there. City didn’t kick it out so an injured player could get treatment, they did it to substitute a player who was already off the field. It’s not the same thing, and Sunderland were well within their rights to keep the ball.”

Yes, agree with that.

77 min: Ake is booked for smashing over Mayenda with a sliding foul. That was only his first of the season as he’s had his problems this season. He’s done well to fight on after that early problem.

76 min: City sound the 15-minute warning. They cannot afford to drop points on Arsenal. This is Sunderland missing several players at AfCon.

74 min: Another Gvardiol chance, and he swings a volley at a cross he had no right to reach. He has been a significant attacking threat since coming on.

73 min: Hume tackles Doku and wins the ball. The referee apologises for having to give the decision, as it’s a scissors tackle. No yellow, which means Trai Hume is still eligible to face Sunderland next week.

72 min: Adringra, who has lost his earlier zest, comes off for Romaine Mundle, the young man from Enfield.

70 min: More blocks required. Doku cuts in, his shot hitting Mukiele full in the face and Alderete nods the second ball behind. On the sidelines, Guardiola is not happy.

69 min: City turning the screw, Cherki, Foden and Silva seeing so much more of the ball.

68 min: Some desperate defending, all blocks and shadow chasing, now required from Sunderland.

66 min: Isidor is struggling to make the same physical impact as Brobbey, and thus Sunderland are struggling to keep the ball up in the City half.

65 min: Lovely chip from Foden finds Gvardiol in a scoring position, and Roefs makes another beautiful save. City look for momentum; that was their best attack yet.

64 min: Adingra’s touch lets him down just as Le Fee was looking for a give and go. Similar happens to Bernardo Silva at the other end. Nobody’s getting much time on the ball.