Manchester City has also won its third Premier League match. Against promoted Coventry, the Sky Blues were overwhelmingly dominant for much of the game but still had to endure a nerve-wracking finish.
On Matchday 3 of the Premier League, Manchester City faced what should have been a walk in the park. Newly promoted Coventry City, coached by Frank Lampard, was the visiting team at Etihad Stadium. New signing Enzo Fernandez, who had been signed on Deadline Day for a record fee, made his starting lineup debut for the Citizens right away.
Following their defeat in the Super Cup against champions Arsenal, the Sky Blues had made a flawless start to the league season and had even taken the top spot in the standings with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. They now had to defend that lead against the promoted side. For newcomers Coventry, however, the top flight of English soccer had, as expected, proven to be a tough place to play. In their first two games, the promoted side had failed to earn any points or score any goals.
In their matchup against the overwhelming favorites, Coventry nearly received an early gift from the visitors. Donnarumma fumbled a back pass from Khusanov and barely managed to scrape the ball off the line (5th minute). Unsurprisingly, the Citizens then took control and pinned Coventry deep in their own half. City struggled for a long time to find openings against the underdog’s tightly packed defense.
Haaland on hand with a header
Gradually, however, the cogs in the sky-blue offensive machine began to mesh more and more effectively, consequently tearing the visitors’ defensive block apart bit by bit. The first truly dangerous moment came in the 24th minute, when Cherki danced his way through the center of the box, cut inside, and fired the ball against the right post.
Shortly thereafter, the well-deserved opening goal came. On a cross from Semenyo on the right flank, Haaland was exactly where a striker needs to be and headed the ball in from close range at the far post to give his team the deserved lead (26′). The Norwegian came within a hair’s breadth of scoring his second goal before halftime. With a clear shot on goal, Manchester’s goal machine was denied by the left hand of visiting goalkeeper Rushworth.
City remained dominant after the break as well. At times, they held over 80 percent possession, which epitomized the one-sided nature of the match. What was missing were clear chances and, consequently, the second goal that would have put the game out of reach early on. Even though the newly promoted team’s offensive efforts were limited, the door was still left ajar.
Coventry fights back—Donnarumma makes two saves
And so, in the 71st minute, substitute Tchaouna nearly turned the game on its head out of nowhere. With a bit of luck, the ball found its way to the substitute on the right flank, who took an immediate shot. Donnarumma dove and fished the ball out of the far corner.
In the closing stages, the ten-time English champions’ long-held commanding lead began to waver significantly in front of 60,765 spectators. Coventry suddenly played with brazen confidence and were unlucky that substitute Simms, from point-blank range, hit only Donnarumma’s face (81st minute).
City had to weather a tough final few minutes but ultimately held on for the nail-biting victory. The Sky Blues thus remain undefeated after their third game—even if head coach Enzo Maresca could by no means be satisfied with his team’s performance after the 60th minute. Coventry remains winless and goalless after its third attempt, but can certainly draw new strength from the final minutes for the coming weeks.
Man City will be back in action as early as Tuesday for the opener of the new Champions League season against FC Porto. In the league, the derby against city rival Manchester United awaits next Sunday (5:30 p.m.). Coventry will face Brighton & Hove Albion on the same day (3:00 p.m.).