Manchester City highlighted their early season credentials by maintaining their 100% winning record after three Premier League games, but had to cling on to leave newly promoted Coventry still searching for their first point of the campaign.

The result was ultimately a satisfying one for City manager Enzo Maresca after giving debuts to Iliman Ndiaye and £125m signing Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentine drafted in minutes before kick-off after Nico O’Reilly sustained an injury in the warm-up.

City’s star striker Erling Haaland was the match-winner, powerfully heading home the only goal of the afternoon after Antoine Semenyo dug out a cross to the far post. Fernandez played a key part in the goal with a slide-rule pass to the Ghanaian.

On another day, Norway striker Haaland could have had a hat-trick. He had a thumping effort pushed away by visiting goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and another close-range strike in the second half ruled out for offside.

Rayan Cherki turned inside and struck against the foot of a post after being set up by Fernandez, but City were thankful to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a string of saves.

The Italy captain kept out Jack Rudoni’s diving header at the far post and Loum Tchaouna’s low strike with a full-length save, and stood tall to deny substitute Ellis Simms late on.

Frank Lampard’s men should have gone ahead when Taiwo Awoniyi picked up a loose pass from Semenyo and ran through on goal, but the Nigerian struck wide to leave Coventry without a goal this season.

This was the first meeting between the two sides in 24 years since they faced each other in the old First Division, and City came out on top to extend their unbeaten run to 31 games against promoted sides.

The full-time statistics from this game will show City as having 78% possession, 15 shots and attempting 800 passes, but they were fortunate to somehow escape with all three points.

Maresca’s side needed two late goals to rescue a result in the opening game against Bournemouth and, although this was another narrow victory at Etihad Stadium, it will continue to build their confidence and momentum.

Despite being the start of a new season, Haaland continues to find the back of the net with regularity. He has now scored against 24 of the 25 Premier League sides he has faced, apart from Sunderland.

Summer signing Anderson was the best player on the park, making an incredible 155 passes – one of three City players, alongside centre-backs Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias, to attempt more than a century of passes.

Fernandez slipped seamlessly into the starting XI despite getting a late call-up for a winning debut, but Lampard and his Coventry side will be left ruing the gilt-edged opportunities that fell their way.

Awoniyi should have hit the target when through on goal, and it proved extremely costly.

Coventry have lost their opening three games without finding the net for the first time in their history, with Lampard winning only one of his past 20 Premier League games. (BBC)