Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal as Manchester City maintained their perfect Premier League start with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The result gave Enzo Maresca’s side three wins from three league matches and moved City to the top of the table ahead of champions Arsenal’s meeting with Chelsea on Sunday.
Haaland settled the contest midway through the first half, heading home from Antoine Semenyo’s cross to register his third goal in as many games this season.
City’s victory, however, was far from convincing as Coventry created several opportunities and came close to earning a point in their first Premier League campaign after more than two decades away from the top flight.
Maresca handed Premier League debuts to Iliman Ndiaye and new signing Enzo Fernandez as City continued to integrate a squad reshaped during a transfer window in which the club spent a record £460 million.
Fernandez had initially been expected to begin on the bench following his £125 million move from Chelsea, which matched the Premier League transfer record.
An injury to Nico O’Reilly during the warm-up forced the Argentine midfielder into the starting line-up, while Ndiaye joined Haaland, Semenyo and Rayan Cherki in a formidable attacking formation.
Coventry, managed by Frank Lampard, entered the match without a goal in their opening three defeats since returning to the Premier League.
The visitors nevertheless threatened early when City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a costly error while attempting to control a backpass. The Italian recovered quickly enough to clear the ball from his goal line.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni then missed opportunities that could have put Coventry ahead before City gradually assumed greater control.
Cherki struck the post before Fernandez helped create the opening goal. His pass released Semenyo on the right, and the forward delivered a cross that Haaland met at the back post with a firm header.
Haaland almost doubled the advantage before the interval but was denied by Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
City struggled to extend their lead after the break and were forced to defend for long periods as Coventry pressed for an equaliser.
Donnarumma became increasingly important to the home side, producing two late saves to deny Loum Tchaouna and Ellis Simms and preserve City’s narrow advantage.
Coventry ultimately left Manchester empty-handed, but Lampard’s team showed enough attacking threat to suggest they can compete in the top flight despite suffering another defeat.
For Maresca, the three points continued an unbeaten start to his Premier League tenure, although the performance exposed areas that will require attention before City’s next major test.
Manchester City travel to local rivals Manchester United next weekend, where Maresca will face a significantly tougher examination of his early progress.
City’s victory also puts pressure on Arsenal, who can reclaim top spot when they face Chelsea on Sunday.
