Haaland Header Gives City Third Straight Win

Manchester City beat Coventry City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium to begin the Premier League season with three consecutive victories and move temporarily three points clear at the top. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute, heading in Antoine Semenyo’s cross after Enzo Fernández—an unexpected starter following Nico O’Reilly’s warm-up injury—helped create the move. City controlled most of the match but failed to add a second, with Rayan Cherki hitting the post and Haaland missing further chances, including one disallowed for offside. Coventry threatened late, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into several important saves, but remained pointless and scoreless after three matches. Haaland said City are still in a rebuilding phase compared with a more settled Arsenal squad, despite their perfect start under new manager Enzo Maresca.