English Premier League Opens 2026 with Goal Drought

Scoreless Draws Dominate Opening Day

The English Premier League kicked off 2026 with a notable lack of scoring action, as three matches on Thursday, January 1, 2026, ended in 0-0 draws. The most significant of these results was Manchester City being held by Sunderland at home. This scoreless draw had important implications for the title race, as City failed to capitalize on the opportunity to close the gap with league leaders Arsenal.

Title Race Implications

The draw means Manchester City remains four points behind Arsenal, who continue to top the table with 45 points. Manchester City's tally stands at 41 points after the match. The failure to win against Sunderland represents a missed opportunity for City to apply pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table. Arsenal maintained their lead without playing, as their closest rivals dropped points.

Match Highlights

The match between Manchester City and Sunderland was characterized by a lack of clear scoring opportunities. Both teams struggled to create meaningful chances, resulting in a stalemate that ultimately favored Arsenal in the context of the standings. This result sets the stage for Arsenal's upcoming fixtures as they look to maintain their lead in the Premier League.