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, as blunt Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
Enzo Maresca is now the man in the Etihad hotseat after the emotional departure of long-serving Pep Guardiola, while there has been significant churn among the playing staff.
One of the new arrivals, Enzo Fernandez, played a major part in City's first-half goal, feeding Antoine Semenyo, who crossed for Haaland to head home his third of the season.
Table-topping City have won all three of their Premier League matches ahead of next week's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Former Chelsea boss Maresca said that 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 told the BBC. "First half we could have scored one or two more, but we worked together to win, so I am happy.
"It is difficult against teams in a low block, I felt we dealt very well with that. Anxiety from the fans is normal.
"Nine out of 10 of these games you end with bad feeling, but it is important to win 1-0."
Midfielder Fernandez arrived at the Etihad on transfer deadline day in a £125 million ($170 million) deal, which equaled the British record.
Maresca handed his former charge at Chelsea a start after Nico O'Reilly sustained an injury in the warm-up, while fellow new signing Iliman Ndiaye also made his debut for the club.
The City boss is working with a reshaped squad following several 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, who both featured on Saturday.
Tottenham also spent heavily in the summer transfer window in a desperate effort to avoid fresh embarrassment after finishing 17th in successive seasons.