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Haaland’s strike extends Man City’s unbeaten start against Coventry
05th September, 2026 07:22 PM
Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City kept their perfect start to the season intact after edging a wasteful Coventry City 1–0 at the Etihad Stadium in their Premier League Matchday 3 clash on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Erling Haaland struck at the half-hour mark to secure City’s third consecutive victory, keeping them top of the table with a maximum of nine points ahead of the upcoming Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Coventry, meanwhile, remains winless in the campaign.
Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues lost their league opener to Arsenal before falling to Hull City in their second game at home. City new signing Enzo Fernandez was handed a surprise start for his league debut barely three days after his record-breaking deal transfer from Chelsea.
City survives early scare
The visitors came within inches of a first-half lead following a poor back-pass that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a decisive clearance right off his goal line.
Moments later, Coventry missed another glorious chance when Jack Rudoni’s header was brilliantly saved by the Italian custodian.
The breakthrough, however, belonged to City. Debutant Enzo Fernández played a pivotal role in the build-up, sliding a pass down the right flank to Antoine Semenyo, whose precise, first-time cross was headed home by Haaland.
Coventry wastefulness
The opener was well-deserved following a dominant spell for the hosts, which also saw a Rayan Cherki effort cleared off the line.
The goal marked Haaland’s 300th career club goal at just 26 years old, building on the brace he netted in City’s recent victory over Crystal Palace.
City started the second half at a slower pace, presenting two clear-cut opportunities to Frank Lampard’s side.
Another of City’s new summer arrivals, Ayyoub Bouaddi, also got minutes to continue his start to the new club after arriving from Lille.
The visitors thought they had leveled the match with ten minutes remaining, but Donnarumma stood tall once again, inadvertently denying substitute Ellis Simms’ strike with his face to preserve the clean sheet.
The final whistle marked another disappointing result for the league newcomers who now remain without a single goal after the opening three games after enduring an evening they ought to have scored atlest once and get their campaign off the mark.
