Haaland keeps new-look Man City perfect in Premier League

As blunt Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, LONDON: New-look Manchester City overcame a spirited challenge from Coventry on Saturday courtesy of an Erling Haaland goal to stay perfect in the Premier League.

Key points

• Midfielder Fernandez arrived at the Etihad on transfer deadline day in a £125 million ($170 million) accord.
• As well as Fernandez and Ndiaye, big-money arrivals include England midfielder Elliot Anderson and Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi.
• In the early kick-off, Newcastle recovered from going 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, staying unbeaten in all competitions under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
• Table-topping City have won all three of their Premier League matches ahead of next week's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
• On Friday, Andoni Iraola's Liverpool beat Ipswich 2-0 to claim their first win of the season.

While there has been significant churn among the playing staff, enzo Maresca is now the man in the Etihad hotseat after the emotional departure of long-serving Pep Guardiola.

One of the new arrivals, Enzo Fernandez, played a major part in City's first-half goal, feeding Antoine Semenyo. This person crossed for Haaland to head home his third of the season.

Former Chelsea boss Maresca remarked teams needed "ugly moments" as well as free-flowing football after the stodgy win, in which newly promoted Coventry squandered chances.

I really liked today for different reasons, the Italian informed the BBC. First half we could have scored one or two more, but we worked together to win so I am happy.

"It is tough against teams in a low block, I felt we dealt highly well with that. Anxiety from the fans is normal. Nine out of 10 of these games you end with bad feeling, but it is significant to win 1-0."

Midfielder Fernandez arrived at the Etihad on transfer deadline day in a £125 million ($170 million) accord. It equalled the British record.

While fellow new signing Iliman Ndiaye additionally produced his debut for the club, maresca handed his former charge at Chelsea a start after Nico O'Reilly sustained an injury in the warm-up.

In practice, the City boss is working with a reshaped squad after a number of high-profile departures, including those of former Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

As well as Fernandez and Ndiaye, big-money arrivals include England midfielder Elliot Anderson and Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi. This person both featured on Saturday.

Tottenham additionally spent heavily in the summer transfer window in a desperate effort to avoid fresh embarrassment after finishing 17th in successive seasons.

After defeats to Brentford and Newcastle, to face a team that twice beat them heavily last season, and still searching for their first Premier League goal of the new campaign, they travelled to the City Ground.

Forest had the ball in the net midway through the second half after calamitous Spurs defending, but Neco Williams's strike was ruled out for handball after a VAR check.

In practice, the 0-0 draw means that Forest, who, like Spurs, flirted with relegation last season, are additionally still seeking their first win.

Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk. This person joined Tottenham on loan this week, was introduced as a substitute in the 74th minute for his first competitive action since November 2024 after a doping ban.

"Disappointed for the result but for the performance very happy, considering we started to work together last Thursday for the first time, for the first day, " Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi informed Sky Sports, referring to the end of the transfer window.

He continued: "If we improve in the last third I think we can score numerous goals since we have the players with sizeable qualities. Now is a tough moment to accept this result since I think we played well."

Vitaly Janelt opened the scoring for high-flying Brentford against Sunderland but Enzo Le Fee levelled from the penalty spot late in the game to force a 1-1 draw.

Leeds drew 1-1 at Brighton while Tyrick Mitchell scored two goals as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to earn a 3-2 win at Fulham, with Ben Chilwell netting the winner.

Hull host Aston Villa in the evening kick-off while champions Arsenal are in action against in-form Chelsea on Sunday.

For now, haaland keeps new-look Man City perfect in Premier League remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.