Manchester City vs
Coventry
England, Premier League,
Round 3
Manchester City
1
-
0
Coventry
Commentary
90'
•
comment
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 COVENTRY CITY
90'
C
Yellow Card
For delaying the restart by kicking the ball away, Khusanov receives a yellow card deep into stoppage time.
90'
•
comment
After Thomas tries his luck with a long-range volley, which is deflected behind for a corner, Tchaouna delivers another set-piece. However, Thomas is then caught offside and Man City can kill more precious time.
90'
C
Yellow Card
In the second minute of at least five added for stoppages, Pinnock clips the fresh-legged McAidoo and has to accept a late yellow card.
90'
•
comment
Following another Coventry corner, first Guehi and then Haaland make clearing headers. Given their dominance in the first hour, few would've forseen how much Man City have had to defend.
89'
•
comment
The tide has turned during the past 20 minutes, so can Coventry City now score their first Premier League goal since May 2001? Surely that would be enough to snatch a point.
87'
S
Substitution
Having picked up a late knock, Ndiaye's promising Man City debut comes to an early end. McAidoo will take his place.
85'
S
Substitution
Lampard makes his last throw of the dice: Dasilva is replaced by Hamer for the final few minutes. Coventry could be switching to a back four.
82'
•
comment
Man City are under real pressure now. Though they manage to deal with a Tchaouna corner, Coventry then recycle the ball and Thomas heads well wide of the far post with a 10-yard header.
80'
•
highlight
BIG SAVE! Donnarumma does it again! This time denying Coventry with his face, he leaps up to block a goalbound shot by Simms from very close range! What a stop!
78'
•
highlight
OFF THE LINE! Thomas keeps Coventry alive! Following a delightful cross from the left by Ndiaye, Haaland's cutback falls to Foden, who tries to squeeze the ball home from six yards out. However, he's denied by a last-ditch clearance!
76'
S
Substitution
Having unexpectedly made his full debut when O'Reilly pulled out before kick-off, Enzo Fernandez is taken off. Now making his first Man City appearance, Bouaddi strides on.
75'
•
comment
Brought down by Khusanov around 25 yards from goal, Thomas-Asante wins Coventry another wide free-kick. Tchaouna also delivers this one, but Haaland is back on defensive duty again and clears it away with a firm header.
73'
•
comment
Failing to fully connect with what was only a half-chance, Haaland slides in to meet a low cross from the right wing. Rushworth can watch on calmly as the ball runs away over the byline.
71'
S
Substitution
Thomas-Asante is also sent on, taking the place of Mason-Clark.
71'
S
Substitution
Coventry introduce more fresh legs: first, willing runner Awoniyi makes way for Simms.
70'
•
comment
Coventry's revival continues, as the ball breaks to Grimes around 20 yards out. His first-time shot zips well wide of the right-hand post, but the away side are inching their way back into this match.
70'
•
highlight
SUPER STOP! After linking up well with Awoniyi and his fellow sub Yirenkyi, Tchaouna bursts into the box and tests Donnarumma with a low angled shot. Getting his huge frame down quickly to the right, the Italian goalkeeper palms it away!
68'
•
comment
When Awoniyi tries to surge clear down the left wing, Dias chases back and makes a vital tackle, also guiding the ball back towards Donnarumma.
66'
S
Substitution
Departing after another dazzling display, Man City playmaker Cherki is replaced by Foden.
65'
•
comment
After Coventry win a free-kick midway through Man City's half, Tchaouna delivers it and the hosts clear their lines at the second attempt. Set-pieces could be a route back into this match.
63'
S
Substitution
Yirenkyi is also introduced, replacing Onyeka in the Sky Blues' midfield.
63'
S
Substitution
Lampard decides to send on both Coventry players who were dropped to the bench today. First, Tchaouna replaces Rudoni.
62'
•
comment
Before the pair were relegated together 25 years ago, Man City were winless in eight top-flight games against Coventry (D4 L4) since doing the double over them in 1992-93. Surely that drought will end today?
60'
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comment
Lampard may be pondering changes, as his side continue to defend resolutely but are only inviting more pressure from their hosts. They're still in this game, though, with half an hour left to play.
58'
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comment
Haaland strikes again, after Cherki's cross is flicked on to Enzo Fernandez and the debutant cleverly flicks the ball back across Coventry's box. However, as soon as Haaland taps in, the assistant raises his flag for offside.
57'
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comment
A prolonged spell of Man City pressure forces the visitors even further back. Even Dias and Guehi are up in the final third; it's attack versus defence right now.
55'
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comment
Coventry's chance of salvaging even one point from this match have just dipped below 10% - that's according to Opta's live supercomputer. They simply can't get up the pitch.
53'
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comment
Left in some space around 25 yards from goal, Anderson takes a couple of touches to set up a shot, before lacing a wild strike high over the crossbar. The away fans enjoyed that.
52'
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comment
Coventry City have lost each of their first three games at the start of a league campaign on just four occasions - in 1919, 1949, 1968 and 2011. They’ve never lost their opening three without finding the net, but it looks like that could change today.
50'
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comment
Thomas makes a crucial sliding block inside his own six-yard box, after Enzo Fernandez delivers a threatening low ball from the right byline. It's not the first example of superb last-ditch defending by the visitors' defence.
48'
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comment
Anderson's curling cross from the left is flicked hopefully by the head of Ndiaye, but the ball soars high over Coventry's crossbar. So far, it's been more Man City pressure, continuing in the same vein as the first half.
46'
•
kick off
Manchester City kick off, and we're back under way at the Etihad!
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comment
Though they've had a colossal 83% share of the ball, Man City's xG lead is relatively slim: they've accrued 0.99 to Coventry's 0.59 so far. That will be the sole concern for Maresca, as his team have yet to kill off the game despite such dominance. The Citizens' new boss will surely have one eye on next week's Champions League opener against Porto, so he'll be keen to get the job done as soon as possible. For their part, Coventry have defended with grit and they're not yet out of this contest.
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half_time summary
After a slightly shaky start, Manchester City have gone on to dominate a bright first half against promoted hopefuls Coventry City, and they lead 1-0 at the break. The hosts almost gifted their opponents an early goal when Donnarumma nearly allowed a tame back-pass to run over the goal line, but they soon regained their composure and took complete charge of the match. Posting his 300th career goal, Haaland inevitably broke the deadlock, but his powerful header was sandwiched by two shots that were superbly kept out by Rushworth. Increasingly influential, Cherki also struck the post, while Man City debutants Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez have both looked lively, as Maresca's quiet revolution continues.
45'
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comment
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 COVENTRY CITY
45'
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comment
At the end of an eventful, free-flowing first half, there will only be one added minute. Man City start it with a corner; can the hosts stretch their lead?
44'
•
highlight
SHARP SAVE! Rushworth to the rescue again! The goalkeeper stands firm to win his latest one-on-one duel with Man City's star striker, after Haaland is deftly played through by Cherki. That's such a crucial stop just before the break!
42'
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comment
Semenyo delivers from the left side this time, and Pinnock's attempted clearance falls straight to Enzo Fernandez. Man City's new record signing can't keep his shot down, though, and it rises high over the crossbar from 20 yards out.
40'
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comment
Manchester City have had some 83% of the ball, while taking more than double Coventry's amount of touches in the opposition area. They're also leading 38 to 15 in terms of final-third entries - but their lead remains relatively slender.
38'
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comment
Straying forward from midfield, Enzo Fernandez clips a searching ball into the box, but Coventry clear their lines. The hosts probe again before the away side mount a quick counter, but it soon ends when Awoniyi commits a clear foul on Anderson.
36'
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comment
Aided by his team-mates, Pinnock steps in to stop Cherki from shooting first time, after Semenyo delivers another dangerous ball from the right. It turns out that the Ghana international was offside in any case, so any goal wouldn't have counted.
34'
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comment
Coventry are still camped inside their own half, as Manchester City pop the ball around with purpose. Cherki is taking plenty of clever touches, and he tees up Enzo Fernandez for a blocked shot from the edge of the box.
32'
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comment
With a deficit to overturn, Coventry will have to try and push further forward at some stage, but their hosts are still dominating this match. Opta's supercomputer now gives Man City a huge 90% chance of victory.
29'
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comment
Cherki's low cross is hacked behind by Pinnock, but the hosts fail to make much of the subsequent corner. When play is recycled on the left, Rushworth comes out to cleanly catch a wayward delivery into his box.
28'
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comment
Incredibly, Haaland has now scored 20 goals in 21 Premier League appearances against newly promoted clubs. Coventry will surely not be the last to feel his wrath!
26'
•
Assist
With an inviting cutback from the right byline, Semenyo has provided an assist in consecutive Premier League games for the first time.
26'
+
Goal 1-0
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! MAN CITY TAKE THE LEAD! It's 1-0! Haaland heads home from close range! Arriving at the back post, he leaps up to meet a fine cross by Semenyo and powers the ball into the back of the net! The Norwegian superstar also sets another record: he's now scored more headed goals than any other City player in Premier League history (20).
24'
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comment
Now Haaland has to head the ball clear of danger, deep inside his own six-yard box. Coventry are causing some problems for their illustrious hosts here.
24'
•
highlight
CHANCE! A high cross inside from the left is flicked on by Thomas in the box, and Rudoni arrives at the back post. He dives to head the ball goalwards, but Donnarumma gets down quickly to make a sharp stop!
23'
•
highlight
OFF THE POST! So close for Cherki! After taking in an inaccurate pass from Enzo Fernandez, Man City's French wizard jigs past his man and cracks a low shot towards the target. However, it bounces back off the right-hand post!
21'
•
comment
Following a foul by Mason-Clark midway through his own half, Cherki delivers a free-kick into Coventry's box. The visitors manage to get it clear from immediate danger, as their grim resistance goes on.
19'
C
Yellow Card
After a 50-50 challenge on the touchline, Van Ewijk then wrestles Ndiaye to the ground. It's a clear yellow card, and that could really hamper him against such a lively opponent.
17'
•
comment
It was far from a tap-in, but Haaland would've expected to score there. This is his first game against Coventry, with the Norwegian scoring against 23 of 24 Premier League teams he’s faced so far, only failing to find the net against Sunderland.
16'
•
highlight
SAVE! Haaland is denied by Rushworth! Played in by a typically perceptive pass from Cherki, the big striker takes one touch to tee himself up before seeing a powerful drive palmed away by the goalkeeper!
14'
•
comment
Making a bright start to his Manchester City career, Ndiaye dances past one man but then runs into traffic on the left wing. Coventry are defending with great discipline, but they're now struggling to get out of their own half.
12'
•
comment
Continuing in the same vein today, Man City led the Premier League for successful passes (1,315) over the first two matchdays; they've played 94.6% of their passes short, which is the highest ratio throughout the league. Maresca's men were also top for passing accuracy while under high-intensity pressure (85.8%).
10'
•
comment
Another error - this time, a wayward header back by Guehi - costs Man City a defensive corner. Rudoni then fires it across, but a diving header by Thomas is blocked by the first home defender.
8'
•
highlight
BIG MISS! Awoniyi should score! A terrible square ball by Semenyo gifts the Coventry striker possession, and he duly charges straight into the box. One-on-one with Donnarumma, he then scuffs just wide of the left-hand post! Man City need to wake up!
6'
•
highlight
CLOSE! Donnarumma escapes a major scare! Having taken a loose first touch when collecting a tame back-pass, Man City's goalkeeper almost lets the ball trickle over the line! However, he reacts just in time - that was just centimetres from putting Coventry in front!
5'
•
comment
As expected, Man City are having most of the possession, with Coventry settling back into a tight defensive shape. Pinnock does well to snuff out a direct ball forward to the on-rushing Enzo Fernandez.
3'
•
comment
Teed up by Ndiaye just outside the area, Cherki looks up and chips a deft cross into the box. Rushworth is alert to the danger, though, and comes out quickly to claim it.
2'
•
comment
As O’Reilly suffered an injury during the warm-up, Enzo Fernandez has been handed his first Man City start instead. That will see Guehi shift back to a more familiar position in central defence. Even after so many departures, the hosts' strength in depth is quite incredible.
1'
•
comment
Coventry City kick off, and we are under way in Manchester!
•
comment
Both teams are out at the Etihad, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
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team news
Meanwhile, Lampard reacts to last week’s loss by making two changes. Out go Tchaouna and Yirenkyi, as Pinnock is handed his first Coventry start alongside former Brentford team-mate Onyeka. The visitors' most notable absentee is Haji Wright, who is still recovering from a thigh injury.
•
team news
Although Man City’s club-record buy Enzo Fernandez is only named on the bench, fellow new boy Ndiaye starts for the first time since signing from Everton, as Foden makes way. That’s Maresca’s sole change from the XI that lined up against Crystal Palace; injured winger Jeremy Doku is still on the sidelines.
•
comment
SUBS: Dan Bentley, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Caleb Yirenkyi, Ellis Simms, Loum Tchaouna, Joel Latibeaudiere, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Victor Torp, Gustavo Hamer.
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comment
COVENTRY CITY (3-4-2-1): Carl Rushworth; Bobby Thomas, Aurele Amenda, Ethan Pinnock; Milan van Ewijk, Frank Onyeka, Matt Grimes, Jay Dasilva; Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark; Taiwo Awoniyi.
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comment
SUBS: Geronimo Rulli, Mateo Kovacic, Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Matheus Nunes, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Phil Foden, Ryan McAidoo, Rico Lewis.
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comment
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly; Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson; Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye; Erling Haaland.
•
comment
These clubs last met in the Premier League back in 2001, when both sides were ultimately relegated - but so much has changed since then. After Coventry spent several years in the wilderness, they returned to England’s top tier by winning the Championship last term, then signed several new players to bolster their squad. It’s early days, but that recruitment drive has yet to pay off, as Frank Lampard’s side have been beaten 3-0 by Arsenal and 1-0 by Hull; notably, the Sky Blues have never lost their first three league games without scoring.
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comment
Manchester City are aiming to prolong their perfect start to the Premier League season, having bounced back from Community Shield defeat with back-to-back top-flight wins. After beating Bournemouth with a late comeback, Enzo Maresca’s men strolled to a more comfortable 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, then equalled the British transfer record by signing Enzo Fernandez. Before facing Coventry today, Man City are unbeaten in 30 league games against newly promoted teams (W27 D3) since losing to Leeds in 2021.
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comment
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium!
Key Players
1
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Marc Guéhi
90 Min
4
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Bobby Thomas
90 Min
Actual Play Time - #60:27
O
Opta
Actual 60:27
Total 96:16
Team Members
Manchester City
23 players
Maresca
#-1
Allan
#0
Donnarumma
#1
Dias
#3
Anderson
#5
Guéhi
#6
I. Ndiaye
#7
Kovacic
#8
Haaland
#9
Cherki
#10
Doku
#11
Fernandez
#17
Ait Nouri
#21
Gvardiol
#24
Nunes
#27
Rulli
#28
Bouaddi
#32
Semenyo
#42
Khusanov
#45
Foden
#47
McAidoo
#56
Samba
#75
Lewis
#82
Coventry
25 players
Lampard
#-1
S. Mfuni
#0
Pinnock
#2
Dasilva
#3
B. Thomas
#4
J. Rudoni
#5
Grimes
#6
Sakamoto
#7
Yirenkyi
#8
E. Simms
#9
Mason-Clark
#10
Wright
#11
Awoniyi
#14
F. Onyeka
#16
Tchaouna
#18
C. Rushworth
#19
K. Kesler-Hayden
#20
Latibeaudiere
#22
Thomas-Asante
#23
Amenda
#24
Bentley
#25
Woolfenden
#26
Ewijk
#27
Torp
#29
Hamer
#38