The result leaves City six points behind leaders Arsenal.
"I don't have a crystal ball to look at what will happen in the future," said Guardiola afterwards, when asked about the title race. "The only thing I think is recovering the players for Brighton on Wednesday. Of course we were closer.
"We played an incredible second half at Sunderland and today we didn't get luck but we scored a goal. Being clinical is part of all the stats. You can create chances, our expected goals is higher than everyone, but you have to do it. As the manager I said to the team, we played really good against this team."
Guardiola concedes City are currently undermanned.
The Spaniard added: "John Stones is missing for I don't know how many months, now Ruben (Dias) and Josko (Gvardiol) will be out.
"Nathan (Ake) cannot play regularly as we know. It happened last season and we will find a solution. The spirit will be there."