Manchester City will head into 2016 sitting in third place in the Premier League, having failed to beat second placed Leicester City on Tuesday evening, drawing 0-0 at the King Power Stadium.
The Citizens shaded the encounter in terms of territory and shots on goal, but there were few clear cut chances, with some fantastic saves from Kasper Schmeichel keeping the score at 0-0.
City have the better of the early period
With Leicester having set up in a more defensive system than normal, sacrificing a striker to fit Gokhan Inler into a five man midfield, it was of little surprise that the game started with few chances at either end.
Looking to stretch the Foxes defence, Raheem Sterling was the standout player in the first half, and showed his intent early on by forcing Wes Morgan into a crucial block.
He'd be unleashed on a quick counter-attack after that, from which he chose not to shoot, instead squaring to teammate Kevin de Bruyne, only for the Belgian's effort to be kept out by a fine Kasper Schmeichel save.
Leicester did reply to that, with Riyad Mahrez threatening as he has done so often this season. Doing well to reclaim the ball, he came inside from the right wing and curled a dangerous effort towards Joe Hart's goal, which flew just over the bar.
However, Manuel Pellegrini's side were still on top, as Sterling went close again two minutes later. Schmeichel was all action, punching out a corner kick straight to the winger, who reacted quickly with a strike at goal, to which the Danish 'keeper was again equal.
Leicester grow into the game
Having rode their luck in parts, the home side did grow into the affair towards the end of the half, starting to make inroads at the other end. Christian Fuchs' expert delivery looked destined to be met by an attacker, but neither Jamie Vardy nor Mark Albrighton could get to it quickly enough.
Vardy did manage to get a shot away shortly after though, albeit off target. Capitalising on some sloppy City defending, the league's top scorer raced away to the edge of the area, only to blaze over.
That period of home dominance towards the end of the first half set the game up for an enthralling second 45, during which there were penalty shouts for each side.
Aguero demands a penalty, not given
City responded to N'Golo Kante's firing an effort just wide by storming up the other end, where Sergio Aguero felt he was brought down by Inler. Referee Craig Pawson signalled play on, and replays showed that his decision was probably correct.
Albrighton too missed a good chance, as Mahrez slotted the winger in behind with a fantastic pass, only for the Englishman to fire wide of the goal.
Schmeichel heroics ensure game finishes goalless
Aguero was done for the night, substituted for Wilfried Bony as his battle to reach full-fitness continues, but it didn't stop City going forward, as Schmeichel made another smart stop from Nicolas Otamendi.
With his 'keeper being continuously tested, Claudio Ranieri seemed to tell his team that a point was enough, as the Foxes dropped back and frustrated the Citizens for the remainder, with a wasted opportunity from a late set-piece being their final highlight of the evening.
