Phil Smith and Nick Barnes pick their favourite Sunderland game of 2025
Pep Guardiola has delivered his verdict on Manchester City’s draw with Sunderland
Pep Guardiola said he was proud of his player's performance in Manchester City's draw with Sunderland on Thursday night.
Sunderland preserved their unbeaten home record this season with a spirited performance against Guardiola's in-form side, and arguably had the better of the first half. Guardiola's changes made a big difference in the second half but Sunderland held out to earn another valuable point.
Guardiola praised Sunderland for their performance but felt only poor finishing cost his team in the second.
"Really good game, especially the second half," Guardiola said.
"First half was really tight. Just we missed scoring a goal in the six-yard box. We had many good actions against a fantastic team. I'm so proud and delighted with the way we played in this difficult stadium against a difficult opponent. We did everything to win, but we couldn't do it. Sunderland are really good. I was surprised that we created a lot.
"I don't know if any team [has been] able to come here and create what we created. Even in the first half, Bernardo was offside and Erling had one or two. They had two in the transition because our shape to attack was not correct. In the second half, the presence of Rodri helped us. And when you are, I don't know how many times, five, six, seven times in the six-yard box, you know, shoot to score a goal and we're going to do it. In the end, it was only we miss and that's difference, but sometimes it happens. We play miles away better than at Nottingham Forest and today we could not win. But it happens."
The Man City boss praised midfielder Rodri, who played his first competitive football since the start of November, for his gamechanging contribution after replacing Nico Gonzalez at half time.
"He changed the game," Guardiola said.
"He proved in 45 minutes that he is the best in his position. When we talk about football, it's about the players. With the build-up, the players struggled in the first half and with him we struggled less. We broke the lines and were more fluid, arrived better and moved better. Hopefully, one year and a half without him, we miss him a lot. Hopefully, he can stay because he makes us a better team."
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What Régis Le Bris said about Sunderland’s draw with Manchester City
“One more good point against one of the best teams in Europe,” Le Bris said.
“With many threats, they can score from everywhere, from different phases. I think we defended well.We were bold to press high, a bit more consistent in the midblock, I think. In the defensive third, we were consistent.
“We used a hybrid system. We used this system at Liverpool once. I thought it was a good option today, because if you drop too early in your back five, you can't face, over the full game, their ability to manage the ball and create chances. I think it went well. With the ball, I think we showed many good things as well.
“We struggled when we played away against City to escape their counter-press, they were impressive. They were good again today, but I think we were better this time.I think this point helped us to manage the ball and to breathe, because it's important to have the ball. We created chances as well. Our low build-up was good, especially during the first half.”
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