Kulusevski returns as Tottenham end winless start with 3‑1 Coventry win

Dejan Kulusevski was back in Tottenham’s squad after more than 500 days out, coming off the bench as Spurs beat Coventry 3-1. The win ended Tottenham’s winless start to the league season and moved them to 16th, with six points from seven games.

James Maddison started and scored. The Daily Mail reported that it was his first Premier League goal in 610 days. Kulusevski’s return gives Roberto De Zerbi another option, though the winger began the match among the substitutes rather than in the starting XI.

Tottenham made several changes for the game. Omar Marmoush returned to the starting line-up, Micky van de Ven was restored and Tosin Adarabioyo made his full Premier League debut for Spurs. Injuries to Savio and Lucas Bergvall forced further adjustments, Spurs Web reported.

The starting XI was Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, van de Ven, Tosin and Robertson; Tonali, Kudus, Maddison and Marmoush; Solanke. It combined the returns of Marmoush and van de Ven with a first league start for Adarabioyo, while Kulusevski’s comeback added depth from the bench.

The result also lifted Tottenham above Coventry, who sit 17th on the same six-point total. Ending the winless run gives De Zerbi’s side a better position in the table as they prepare for another London fixture.

Tottenham travel to Chelsea on Saturday 24 October. Coventry host Fulham on the same day.