Erling Haaland maintained Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season as Enzo Maresca’s side edged newly promoted Coventry City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The victory extended Maresca’s winning start to three consecutive league matches, although City were forced to work hard for the points after a spirited display from Coventry.
Maresca handed debuts to new signings Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye following City’s record £460 million ($622 million) spending spree in the transfer window as the club looks to rebuild following Pep Guardiola’s decade in charge.
Fernandez, who joined from Chelsea for £125 million to equal the Premier League transfer record, was initially expected to start on the bench. However, an injury to Nico O’Reilly during the warm-up forced the Argentine into the starting XI.
Ndiaye also made his City debut, joining Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki in a formidable attacking line-up.
Coventry, back in the top flight after more than 20 years away, had suffered three straight defeats without scoring. However, Frank Lampard’s team came close to breaking that drought early in the match.
City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma almost gifted the visitors the lead when he miscontrolled a backpass, only managing to clear the ball off his own goal line by inches.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni subsequently missed promising opportunities before City gradually took control.
Cherki struck the post before Fernandez played a key role in City’s opener. The midfielder released Semenyo down the right, with the winger delivering a precise cross for Haaland to head home at the far post.
The goal was Haaland’s third in as many Premier League games this season.
The Norwegian striker came close to doubling City’s advantage before half-time but was denied by Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
City failed to add to their lead after the break and were forced to withstand late pressure from the visitors.
Donnarumma produced two crucial saves to deny Loum Tchaouna and Ellis Simms, preserving City’s narrow advantage and preventing Coventry from earning a historic first Premier League point in 25 years.
Despite the defeat, Lampard can take encouragement from his side’s performance and their ability to compete with one of the league’s biggest clubs.
Maresca, however, will know his team must improve significantly ahead of next weekend’s trip to local rivals Manchester United.
The victory moves City to the top of the Premier League table, at least temporarily, ahead of champions Arsenal’s meeting with Chelsea on Sunday.
