Enzo Fernández was drafted into Manchester City’s starting lineup after Nico O’Reilly suffered a back problem in the warm-up, and he delivered an impressive display that justified the club’s British-record-equalling £125m investment. Erling Haaland settled the contest with the 300th goal of his club career, while Fernández played an important role by releasing Antoine Semenyo, whose right-wing delivery was emphatically converted.
Coventry applied sustained pressure after the interval, but they are still waiting for their first top-flight goal since Mustapha Hadji scored his second in a 3-2 loss at Aston Villa on 5 May 2001. Although the visitors were frustrated by defeat, they took encouragement from restricting a team packed with elite talent to a narrow victory. Nevertheless, they have now lost all three league matches since returning to the division.
Frank Lampard said: “I do not believe we deserved to be beaten. It is disappointing not to come away with the point our performance merited, but we can leave with tremendous pride in what we produced.”
Enzo Maresca’s side have collected all nine available points and have every reason to be pleased with their start. “It was not an attractive victory today; it was rather untidy,” he said. “We should have scored more in the opening half. We managed one, but there were opportunities to add another one or two.”
Discussing Fernández, the manager said: “Enzo was originally among the substitutes because he only joined us a few days ago. I understand how difficult the previous few weeks were for him, but he eventually got on the pitch and performed well. Nico noticed some discomfort in his back, although it is not thought to be serious.”
Ayyoub Bouaddi, an £85m acquisition, began among the substitutes for the home team. Fernández partnered Rayan Cherki in a 4-1-2–2-1 formation, with fellow newcomers Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye operating just behind Haaland.
Coventry made two alterations to the team beaten at home by Hull, bringing in Ethan Pinnock and Frank Onyeka for Caleb Yirenkyi and Loum Tchaouna. They almost moved ahead when Abdukodir Khusanov’s pass back to Gianluigi Donnarumma slid beneath the goalkeeper’s foot, although the Italian recovered in time to clear. Another major opening followed when Taiwo Awoniyi intercepted a Semenyo pass intended for Rúben Dias, but the forward dragged his shot wide after racing through.
Coventry’s confidence increased the longer the score remained level. Cherki sent Haaland charging forward, but Carl Rushworth handled the striker’s turning shot. Fernández then found Cherki, whose skilful footwork created room for an attempt that struck the post.
Neither the woodwork nor Rushworth could prevent Haaland from breaking the deadlock. Fernández bent a pass into space behind the defence for Semenyo, who turned and delivered from the right before Haaland supplied the decisive finish.
The goal arrived in the 26th minute as Coventry found themselves pinned back. Fernández later gathered possession on the right and attempted to pick out Haaland, but his cross was stopped by the first defender. Cherki then produced another elegant piece of movement to find space, only for his shot to be blocked.
Maresca has encouraged his wide players to attack more directly and make full use of Ndiaye and Semenyo’s speed, an approach that repeatedly unsettled Coventry. A clever flick from Cherki also sent Haaland clear. The striker stayed on his feet despite a challenge that might have resulted in a penalty had he gone down, but Rushworth again denied the Norwegian’s subsequent effort.
Coventry continued to threaten, with Jack Rudoni producing a better close-range header than Awoniyi had managed earlier. Donnarumma, however, launched himself to the left to preserve City’s advantage. The opportunity illustrated the belief within Lampard’s team, although they needed to be clinical because clear chances were limited.
Ndiaye had a relatively subdued debut. When Cherki’s play brought the ball to him inside the penalty area, he had an opportunity to shoot but instead chose not to take it.
Speaking about the Senegal international, Maresca said: “Ili has completed only two training sessions with us, and he frequently moved into the wrong areas, so there is still plenty for him to understand. Whenever Marc Guéhi had possession at centre-back, Ili dropped too deep. We wanted him further forward because that deeper space belonged to Josko Gvardiol at left-back.”
The manager offered a more positive assessment of Elliot Anderson. “I have been extremely impressed, not only by today’s display but also by his performances against Palace and Bournemouth,” Maresca said. “Elliot’s greatest quality is his determination to improve every single day.”
Bouaddi made his first home appearance when he replaced Fernández in the 75th minute. The 18-year-old remained composed as Coventry launched a late assault, during which Ellis Sims forced Donnarumma into a save from point-blank range.
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