Erling Haaland scores only goal as Man City hold on to beat Coventry

Erling Haaland scored the only goal as Man City beat Coventry. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA

Erling Haaland’s first-half header saw Manchester City edge out Coventry 1-0 and make it three wins from three as Enzo Fernandez made an earlier than planned debut.

Haaland’s third goal of the season came in the 26th minute when he headed in Antoine Semenyo’s cross in a move started by Fernandez.

The £125million deadline-day signing from Chelsea had been named among the substitutes but was thrust into Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up when Nico O’Reilly was hurt during the warm-up, and the Argentinian impressed with an energetic display.

Fernandez was also instrumental in a move that ended with Rayan Cherki hitting a post, but was offside when he set up Haaland for a second-half goal which was disallowed.

Coventry defended deep for much of the afternoon and registered only 22 per cent possession, but turned up the heat late on with chances for substitutes Loum Tchaouna and Ellis Simms as Manchester City were left hanging on.

However, Frank Lampard’s newly-promoted side slumped to a third straight defeat, yet to score on their return to the Premier League.

Manchester City had to overcome two early scares – first when Gianluigi Donnarumma miscontrolled an Abdukodir Khusanov back-pass before hacking it off the line and the second when Taiwo Awoniyi cut out Semenyo’s loose pass but fired wide after charging at goal.

But they soon had control of the game and Fernandez wasted little time in striking up a relationship with Cherki in the middle of the park as Manchester City bossed possession against a Coventry side defending deep.

It took until the 16th minute for the hosts to get a sight of goal, but Carl Rushworth pushed clear Haaland’s shot after Cherki slipped the ball through.

Cherki struck the upright soon after. Fernandez led the charge forward from midfield, ignoring the run of Haaland to find the Frenchman who cut back on to his left foot before hitting a low shot which rebounded off the right post.

Coventry went close again in the 24th minute when Milan van Ewijk’s long throw was flicked on to Jack Rudoni at the far post, but Donnarumma stood strong and seconds later the hosts led.

Fernandez was once again involved, playing the ball into space for Semenyo to send in a superb cross from the byline and, as it sailed over Rushworth, Haaland got in front of Aurele Amenda to head home.

It should have been 2-0 just before the break when Cherki played in Haaland again but Rushworth denied the Norwegian.

Manchester City had the ball in the net just before the hour but Fernandez was clearly offside as he hooked the ball over for Haaland to finish.

The introduction of Tchaouna offered Coventry a new threat as he harried the home side’s defenders before bringing a smart save out of Donnarumma with a low drive in the 70th minute. Moments later Matt Grimes’ strike whistled past the post.

Thomas blocked a shot from Manchester City substitute Phil Foden on the line after Haaland kept in Iliman Ndiaye’s cross at the back post, but the hosts were under pressure late on as Donnarumma used his face to deny Simms from point-blank range.