How Awoniyi, Onyeka stumbled with Coventry City into ugly 58-year EPL record

Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka both started as Coventry City suffered a 1-0 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The loss against the former champions leaves the newly promoted side with three defeats from three Premier League games. Erling Haaland scored the only goal in the 26th minute after being set up by Antoine Semenyo, giving Manchester City a third straight league win under new manager Enzo Maresca.

The defeat also pushed Coventry into an unwanted piece of club history. The Sky Blues have now lost their opening three league matches for only the fourth time in their history. The previous occasions were 1919-20, 1949-50, 1968-69 and 2011-12.

The 1968-69 campaign was the last time Coventry suffered such a start in the top division, making Saturday's result their first three-game losing run at this level since that season, 58 years ago.

Coventry's three Premier League results have been:

• Arsenal 3-0 Coventry, 21 August
• Coventry 0-1 Hull City, 29 August
• Manchester City 1-0 Coventry, 5 September

The more worrying part for Frank Lampard is that Coventry have not scored in any of those matches. They had already suffered defeats against Arsenal and Hull before travelling to Manchester, leaving them needing to avoid another loss to prevent their poor start from becoming a historic one.

That proved beyond them despite a disciplined defensive performance against the former champions.

Awoniyi and Onyeka struggle to make an attacking impact

Awoniyi started as Coventry's central striker while Onyeka operated in midfield as Lampard attempted to deal with Manchester City's control of the ball.

The Nigerian striker had already come close to scoring against Hull, when goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis produced an excellent save to deny him during Coventry's first home Premier League match in 25 years.

Against City, however, Awoniyi found chances difficult to come by. His best chance came early in the match when he bounced on a lose ball to go clear on goal but his smart shot screamed past the post when he had only the keeper to beat.

He was substituted in the 71st minute, with Ellis Simms taking his place as Lampard tried to find a way back into the game. Coventry also replaced Ephron Mason-Clark with Brandon Thomas-Asante at the same time.

Awoniyi did have two successful dribbles, but he could not turn his work into a goal. Coventry's attack produced 12 shots during the match, with only three on target, while City had 15 attempts and four on target.

Onyeka's afternoon ended earlier. The midfielder started in Coventry's three-man midfield but was replaced by Caleb Marfo Yirenkyi in the 63rd minute. Jack Rudoni was also withdrawn at the same time for Loum Tchaouna as Lampard changed his midfield options.

Coventry's defensive organisation kept the score at 1-0 after Haaland's header, but City still created enough pressure to control the contest. Haaland registered four shots, with three on target, while Coventry defender Bobby Thomas was forced into a busy afternoon, producing five shots of his own but failing to hit the target.

That was a terrible miss from Awoniyi. Glorious chance for Coventry to take the lead against Manchester City and the striker fluffs his line 🤦🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/RPd8nOt8RU

— King Xerxes of Chelsea 👑 (@Kingxerxestv) September 5, 2026

The result also continued Manchester City's strong record against newly promoted teams. City had gone into the match unbeaten in their previous 30 Premier League games against promoted clubs, winning 27 and drawing three since a 2-1 defeat by Leeds United in April 2021.

Coventry now have to turn their attention to Brighton & Hove Albion, who visit the CBS Arena on Sunday, 13 September.

Lampard's side then face Aston Villa at home in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday, 16 September, before travelling to Nottingham Forest for their next Premier League away game three days later.

The Sky Blues will be looking for their first Premier League goal, first point and first win of the campaign when Brighton arrive in the Midlands. Awoniyi and Onyeka will hope those targets provide a chance to change the story after a difficult opening three weeks.