By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute, heading Antoine Semenyo’s cross into an empty net to settle a match in which City dominated possession but were made to work for the points.
City controlled 82 per cent of possession, reflecting their dominance of the ball, but Coventry remained dangerous enough to keep the hosts under pressure for much of the contest.
Coventry had the first major opportunity when Taiwo Awoniyi fired narrowly wide from inside the penalty area in the eighth minute. City responded with sustained pressure, with Rayan Cherki striking the post in the 23rd minute before Haaland broke the deadlock three minutes later.
The hosts continued to threaten after taking the lead. Haaland forced a save from Carl Rushworth in the 16th minute, while Coventry goalkeeper also denied City several times as the visitors resisted sustained pressure.
City thought they had doubled their advantage early in the second half, but Haaland’s effort was ruled out for offside in the 58th minute.
Coventry, despite spending long periods without the ball, continued to create opportunities. Bobby Thomas headed narrowly wide in the 82nd minute, while Ellis Simms came close from inside the box four minutes earlier.
City were also forced to deal with a late scare when Iliman Ndiaye left the field injured in the 87th minute and was replaced by Ryan McAidoo.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser during six minutes of stoppage time but could not find a way through City’s defence. Coventry’s late corner was cleared, while Bobby Thomas had another effort blocked as City held on for the three points.
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