ON THE COMEBACK: Tottenham secure first Premier League win against Coventry as James Maddison marks return with wonder strike

James Maddison made a dream return on his first Premier League start in 18 months. The Tottenham midfielder's wonder strike helped Spurs secure their first league win of the season to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Maddison began his career at Coventry but showed his first club no mercy as finally Roberto De Zerbi’s men got lift-off in front of 60,913 fans. Jack Rudoni drew Coventry level after the restart but Omar Marmoush restored Tottenham’s lead after 58 minutes and then Dejan Kulusevski came on to a brilliant reception for his first appearance since May 2025. Ben Davies made the game safe for the hosts when he notched in stoppage time.

Roberto De Zerbi took his players on a sunshine break to Marbella and so a cold night in North London probably felt like a reality check. As did a glance at the Premier League table because Tottenham started the night propping up the rest and in need of a sharp upturn in results.

De Zerbi rolled the dice with five changes and a switch in formation as Tottenham went three at the back and James Maddison made his first Premier League start since April 27, 2025.

That was a staggering 536 days as Maddison has suffered a string of disastrous setbacks - mainly an ACL knee injury - which has effectively put his Spurs career on hold for 18 months. It was also quite some comeback for a player who was born in Coventry, started his career at Coventry City and was back against his boyhood club.

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But the travelling Coventry fans were not buying into the fairytale as they booed Maddison’s every touch which probably fired up Tottenham’s No10. Sure enough, it was Maddison who then broke the deadlock and eased the nerves among the home fans in the stadium.

Mohammed Kudus cut in from the right, danced along the edge of the Coventry box and then played it square to Maddison. Coventry gave Maddison too much space and the midfielder hit a brilliant first time curling shot which beat keeper Carl Rushworth and dipped into the top corner.

That was a timely reminder of Maddison’s star quality which, in truth, Tottenham fans have not seen enough since he arrived for £40m over three years ago.

This was a night of comebacks because the next big cheer from the home supporters came when Dejan Kulusevski came out to warm up during the first half. Incredibly, Sweden forward Kulusevski had not played for Tottenham since sustaining a serious knee injury in May 2025.

In truth, Tottenham have probably felt Kulusevski’s absence more than anyone else because - for a while at least - he was the star of the show. They cannot get him back playing regularly soon enough.

Coventry’s task was just to stay in the game until they could create a chance. Their first came just before half time when Brandon Thomas-Asante went clear only to be halted by one of Micky van de Ven’s trademark recovery tackles. But Coventry did not pass up their second. Frank Lampard’s men hauled themselves level within five minutes of the restart.

Spurs defender Jan Paul van Hecke was caught in possession, Jack Rudoni broke down the left, played a one-two with Caleb Yirenkyi, the ball hit Thomas-Asante and then Rudoni smashed a shot through keeper Antonin Kinsky.

Suddenly, there was a game on. But Coventry’s hope did not last long. Marmoush got Tottenham back in front just nine minutes later. Marmoush turned Milan van Ewijk and caught the Coventry with an elbow before firing a fierce shot into the far corner.

It felt like being far from over. Coventry kept pushing. Andy Robertson and Tosin Adarabioyo went off injured while Maddison was also replaced.

But Tottenham could only truly breathe a sigh of relief when substitute Ben Davies scored in the 96th minute with a low shot after a penalty box scramble.