The duo made their City debuts at the Etihad as we continued our 100% start with a hard-fought win to stay top of a what is a very early league table.
Erling Haaland got the only goal of the game with a thunderous header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross midway through the first half.
Both sides had chances to add to the scoreline with Haaland going close while Gianluigi Donnarumma made a couple of superb saves to secure the win.
THE GAME IN 250 WORDS
Our final two signings of the transfer window were both named in the starting line-up with Fernández a late change for Nico O’Reilly who pulled out after the warm-up.
But we made a slow start and a couple of sloppy moments almost gave the visitors an early lead on their first ever visit to the Etihad.
First Abdukodir Khusanov’s backpass rolled under Gianluigi Donnarumma’s foot but he scrambled the ball clear millimetres before it fully crossed the line.
Then Antoine Semenyo’s misplaced pass gave Coventry striker Taiwo Awoniyi a free run at goal but his effort was inches wide of the post.
City stepped up quickly in response and Rayan Cherki carved out an opportunity for Haaland, but his first-time effort was well saved by Carl Rushworth.
Cherki, with two goals and two assists already this season, almost added to his tally, cleverly creating space just inside the box but his fierce shot rebounded off the inside of the post.
The breakthrough finally came in the 26th minute with Fernández releasing Semenyo and his cross was met by a bullet header from Haaland who had cleverly escaped his marker.
Haaland almost doubled our lead before the break, riding Bobby Thomas’s challenge instead of going down for what would surely have been a penalty, but Rushworth poked out a hand to stop his effort.
He had a second chalked off shortly before the hour mark when he turned in Fernández’s cross but the Argentine was offside and then couldn’t get a strong touch to Semenyo’s low cross.
Between those chances, Coventry created their biggest opening of the match and Donnarumma had to be at his best to deny a Loum Tchaouna equaliser with a low drive.
Phil Foden had an effort cleared off the line and Donnarumma made a point-blank save from Ellis Simms as both sides chased the second goal of the game but Haaland’s header was enough for the three points.
TEAMS
CITY: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias (C), Guéhi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernández (Bouaddi 76), Ndiaye (McAidoo 87), Cherki (Foden 66), Semenyo, Haaland.
Subs not used: Rulli, Kovačić, Aït-Nouri, Nunes, Lewis, F Samba.
Coventry: Rushworth, van Ewijk, Amenda, Thomas, Pinnock, Dasilva (Hamer 86), Onyeka (Yirenkyi 63), Grimes (C), Rudoni (Tchaouno 63), Mason-Clark (Thomas-Asante 71), Awoniyi (Simms 71).
Subs not used: Bentley, Sakamoto, Latibeaudiere, Torp.
New player watch
Fernández did not know he would be starting until minutes before kick-off and that may have helped if he had any pre-match butterflies.
The Argentinian was perhaps the highest-profile move on the summer following his switch from Chelsea and plenty of eyes will have been on him.
A slide-rule pass that opened up Coventry for our opening goal highlighted his quality and he dovetailed with Anderson nicely in our new-look midfield.
Ndiaye, meanwhile, came straight into the side as well and showed glimpses of the one-to-one wing play that Enzo Maresca wants from him.
His quick feet forced Coventry full-back Milan van Ewijk to pick up an early yellow card and the forward offered plenty of threat down the left hand side on his debut.
Star man
Anderson may be only four games into his City career but he’s showing the quality and leadership to show why he was such a wanted man in the summer.
He was at the heart of everything for the Blues, winning tackles, starting attacks and maintaining our territorial dominance and ball possession.
The England international made everything tick in the centre of the pitch in a breathless display.
MANAGER REACTION
Will follow shortly...
NDIAYE REACTION
“[We] started with a win, so it couldn’t get any better. It felt great, obviously we wanted to win the game.
“It has been difficult, like we said to each other, all the games are going to be hard.
“The last few days have been really good. Obviously, I am at Manchester City now, so I am happy. Happy the move got done. The lads have been welcoming me very good.
“It was hard [leaving Everton]. I said I wanted to be playing at the highest level, playing in the big leagues - the Champions League.
“I’ve worked really hard since I was young. Obviously, the moment finally arrived. I am not going to stop here - it is just the beginning.”
WHAT IT MEANS
City have won our three opening matches of the season for for the third time in four attempts.
Four teams have a 100% record in the Premier League with City the only team to have played three matches so ended the game three points clear at the top.
WHAT’S NEXT
Now the transfer window is closed, the games come thick and fast for the Blues.
Our UEFA Champions League campaign gets under way on Tuesday 8 September, away to Porto with an 20:00 (UK).
That’s followed by the small matter of a Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday 13 September with a 16:30 (UK) kick-off.
City’s next home game is in the Carabao Cup on Thursday 17 September when we face Norwich City with a 19:30 (UK) kick-off.
