Haaland Header Sends Manchester City Top After Coventry Win

THE GOAL

Manchester City made it three wins from three in the Premier League on Saturday, edging past a stubborn Coventry side 1-0 at the Etihad. Erling Haaland scored the game's only goal in the 26th minute, meeting Antoine Semenyo's cross with a bullet header after Enzo Fernandez had sprung the move with a slide-rule pass. It was Haaland's third goal of the season.

THE DEBUTS

City's two deadline-day signings both started. Fernandez, in for Nico O'Reilly after a late fitness pull in the warm-up, showed his quality in the buildup to the goal, while Iliman Ndiaye troubled Coventry down the left. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also had a hand in the result, scrambling clear a mishit backpass in the opening minutes and later denying two point-blank chances in a second half City had to see out under pressure.

WHAT'S NEXT

The win keeps City the only side in the league with a perfect record through three matches, three points clear at the top, while Coventry remain winless and without a goal through their opening three games. Manager Enzo Maresca called it an important win after a game his side had to see out under late pressure, with Coventry twice going close to an equalizer in the second half.