Spurs 3-1 Coventry: James Maddison shines on Tottenham return
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By Phil McNulty, Chief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Published 8 minutes ago
Roberto de Zerbi has gone to great lengths to revive Tottenham Hotspur, from psychological support to team bonding dinners, even a sunshine break in Marbella. But the answer to turning their season around, at least in terms of their first league win, came from James Maddison.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who missed most of last season with an ACL injury and then fractured his shoulder in the opening-weekend defeat at Brentford, finally returned to the starting line-up against Coventry City. He delivered in style, scoring a brilliant opening goal in the 14th minute and providing the spark Spurs needed to secure a 3-1 victory.
Maddison's goal, a right-foot finish from 20 yards, was his first in the Premier League since February 2025. It was a moment of relief and celebration for the player, who marked it with his trademark dart-throwing celebration and a kiss to the Spurs badge.
Maddison's significance to Spurs is clear: before his return, they had won just 12 out of 57 Premier League games since his last goal, averaging less than a point per game. Since his last start, against Liverpool in April 2025, Spurs had won just 11 of 49 league games, losing 23.
The win was not a classic for Spurs, who remain winless in 2026, but it was a vital three points. Spurs remain in the bottom three, but this victory, their sixth in 37 home league games, is hoped to be a turning point.
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