LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) – Manchester City scrambled a 1-0 Premier League victory over promoted Coventry City on Saturday that maintained their 100% record but showed Enzo Maresca’s side are a work in progress after completing their £450-million ($608.45-million) rebuild.
A third successive win was sealed in familiar fashion by Erling Haaland, with a little help from British-record-equalling signing Enzo Fernandez on his debut but City were made to sweat by a Coventry side still seeking a first point.
Crystal Palace earned their first league victory of the campaign as they twice came from a goal down to prevail 3-2 at Fulham, while four other games ended all square.
Newcastle United recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth who scored first for the third game in a row but are still without a victory.
Tottenham Hotspur picked up their first point of the season but failed to have a shot on target in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest who had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball.
Brighton & Hove Albion drew 1-1 at home to Leeds United, Brentford versus Sunderland also finished 1-1, while promoted Hull City held visitors Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw.
CITY TRANSFER SPLURGE
After Manchester City’s eye-watering splurge continued until Tuesday with the arrival of Argentina midfielder Fernandez from Chelsea and Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, Coventry may have feared the worst at The Etihad Stadium.
Maresca handed debuts to Fernandez and fellow deadline-day signing Ndiaye, while midfielder Elliott Anderson, whose club-record £115 million arrival was surpassed by Fernandez, was also in the starting lineup.
Fernandez played a key role in Haaland’s 26th-minute opener, sliding a pass through for Antoine Semenyo, whose cross the Norway striker headed in. Haaland’s strike was his 300th goal in all competitions in his top-flight club career.
Haaland also had a goal ruled out but it was Coventry who finished strongly and an equaliser would not have flattered Frank Lampard’s side, who forced City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into a string of saves.
City completed 803 passes to Coventry’s 217 but there was some relief at the final whistle, although Maresca was happy enough with the nature of the performance.
“I really liked today for different reasons. First half we could have scored one or two more but we worked together to win so I am happy,” the Italian said.
“Anxiety from the fans is normal. Nine out of 10 of these games you end with a bad feeling but it’s important to win 1-0. Not all the performances are going to be nice, you also need ugly moments.”
City lead the table with nine points. Champions Arsenal and Chelsea, the other teams with a 100% record, meet on Sunday at The Emirates Stadium.
Hull dropped their first points in an impressive start to life back in the top flight but have yet to concede a goal, while Villa’s struggles persisted as Unai Emery’s side still search for a first goal and have one point from three matches.
CRAVEN COTTAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Coventry and Fulham remain without a point after three games, while Villa will hope to get their tally up and running when they travel to surprise package Hull.
The day’s real entertainment happened at Craven Cottage where Fulham’s new manager Alvaro Arbeloa suffered his third successive defeat as Ben Chilwell scored the winner for Palace.
Josh King put Fulham ahead after 11 minutes but Tyrick Mitchell levelled for the visitors before Cesar Palacios tucked in a rebound to restore the home side’s lead.
Mitchell equalised again for Pierre Sage’s side before Chilwell, who joined on a free transfer, latched onto a loose ball to drive home the winner in the 77th minute.
“It’s a good result but we have to be honest, our start has not been of the level expected. We did better with mentality in the second half,” Sage said.
Bournemouth made Premier League history by becoming the first club to score first in their opening three games of a season without winning any of them.
Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth an early lead before a Malick Thiaw own goal made it 2-0 after 35 minutes.
Harvey Barnes pulled a goal back before halftime and Jacob Ramsey earned Newcastle a point with a late strike to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
“Two times already in the last two games, but it is what it is,” Bournemouth manager Marco Rose said. “It’s good that we are in situations to be able to win games … We have to talk about the negatives, get better and try to finish the games.”
Vitaly Janelt put Brentford ahead against the run of play just before the hour mark against Sunderland but Enzo le Fee’s late penalty earned the visitors a point. Brighton’s record signing Luka Vuskovic scored his side’s equaliser against Leeds.
Tottenham are yet to score in the league this season but at least emerged with a point from the City Ground, although Forest were left frustrated after Neco Williams’ second-half effort was ruled out for handball after some chaotic Spurs defending.
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(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
