Tottenham secured their first Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Coventry City, lifting them off the bottom of the table. James Maddison made a dream return on his first league start in 18 months, scoring a wonder strike against his boyhood club.
Maddison's long-awaited comeback
Maddison, who began his career at Coventry, showed his former club no mercy as Roberto De Zerbi's men finally got lift-off in front of 60,913 fans. The midfielder's first Premier League start since April 27, 2025 came after a staggering 536 days, during which he suffered a string of setbacks, mainly an ACL knee injury.
De Zerbi made five changes and switched to a three-at-the-back formation. The travelling Coventry fans booed Maddison's every touch, but it was the Tottenham No.10 who broke the deadlock. Mohammed Kudus cut in from the right, played the ball square to Maddison, who hit a brilliant first-time curling shot past keeper Carl Rushworth into the top corner.
Kulusevski and Marmoush shine
The night was also a comeback for Dejan Kulusevski, who received a brilliant reception when he came on for his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee injury in May 2025. The Sweden forward had not played for Tottenham since then.
Coventry drew level within five minutes of the restart when Jack Rudoni broke down the left, played a one-two with Caleb Yirenkyi, and smashed a shot through keeper Antonin Kinsky. But Omar Marmoush restored Tottenham's lead after 58 minutes, turning Milan van Ewijk and firing a fierce shot into the far corner.
Late drama secures the points
Coventry kept pushing, and Andy Robertson and Tosin Adarabioyo went off injured while Maddison was also replaced. Tottenham could only breathe a sigh of relief when substitute Ben Davies scored in the 96th minute with a low shot after a penalty box scramble to make the game safe.
