Tottenham climbed off the bottom of the Premier League after James Maddison's superb 14th-minute opener inspired a 3-1 home win over Coventry City on Monday. It was a night to savour for both Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, who made his first appearance in 526 days after a 17-month absence with a patella injury.
Roberto De Zerbi gave Maddison the nod against his boyhood club, and Spurs' No. 10 responded with a stunning curled effort from 22 yards. Coventry levelled four minutes into the second half through Jack Rudoni, but Omar Marmoush responded with his first goal for Tottenham with 58 minutes played. After Kulusevski was introduced to thunderous applause, a nervy finale was avoided when long-serving defender Ben Davies watched his scuffed effort beat Carl Rushworth in stoppage time.
It ensured Spurs claimed a first top-flight win of the season at the seventh time of asking and only a fourth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since Kulusevski and Maddison were injured in May 2025.
Spurs started bottom and without four players from the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, but De Zerbi was boosted by Maddison's first start in 536 days and Kulusevski's inclusion in the matchday squad after an equally torrid time out. The hosts almost went behind after 11 seconds, and Antonín Kinsky was forced into several key saves before Maddison's goal settled the nerves.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing