Erling Haaland continued his impressive record against newly promoted teams as he scored the decisive goal in Manchester City’s tense 1-0 win over Coventry, maintaining their perfect start under Enzo Maresca.
Match Report
The Norwegian forward missed two one-on-one chances, one before and another after heading home Antoine Semenyo’s 26th-minute cross.
Rayan Cherki also came close in the opening half, with his left-footed strike hitting the right post. Gianluigi Donnarumma then produced two crucial saves after the interval to ensure City held on to their advantage.
Donnarumma almost gifted Coventry an equaliser when a routine backpass from Abdukodir Khusanov nearly crossed the goal line, while Taiwo Awoniyi failed to capitalise on a one-on-one opportunity, sending his effort wide of the left post as Coventry started brightly.
City responded with Haaland forcing Carl Rushworth into a save from outside the box, before Cherki struck the right upright as the hosts continued to threaten.
Manchester City eventually took the lead in the 26th minute. Debutant Enzo Fernandez found Semenyo behind the Coventry defence, before the forward produced an excellent cross from the right byline. Haaland rose at the far post and powered his header into the net.
The striker had another opportunity to double City’s advantage shortly before half-time after getting past Bobby Thomas, but his shot went straight at Rushworth.
City thought they had scored a second goal shortly before the hour mark, but it was ruled out for offside after Fernandez played a superb hooked pass that allowed Haaland to finish.
Coventry continued to push for an equaliser, with Loum Tchoauna’s low strike nearly catching City off guard with 20 minutes remaining. Donnarumma, however, reacted well to keep the effort out.
Phil Foden was also denied by Thomas on the goal line, while Donnarumma once again saved City late on, blocking Ellis Simms’ close-range effort with his face.
Haaland the hero as Man City just do enough
Manchester City have now won all three of their opening games to move to the top of the early Premier League table. Haaland, meanwhile, could easily have ended the match with a first-half hat-trick given the chances that fell his way.
The prolific striker had two opportunities inside the Coventry box during the opening 45 minutes, chances he would normally be expected to convert.
His goal, however, came from another example of City’s fluid attacking movement. The strike also means Haaland has now scored against 24 of the 25 Premier League opponents he has played, with Sunderland the only team he has yet to score against.
He has also moved further ahead in Manchester City’s record books, with 20 headed goals making him the club’s leading scorer in that category in Premier League history.
Coventry had their own opportunities and remained competitive throughout, with the statistics relatively close. City narrowly led the shot count 15-12 and also had the advantage in shots on target, four to three.
However, Frank Lampard’s Coventry side remain without a point, victory or goal after three matches since their return to the Premier League.
