Maddison’s return gives Tottenham a creative lift in 3‑1 win

James Maddison scored on his first Tottenham start in nearly 18 months, giving Spurs a timely creative boost in a 3-1 win over Coventry and their first Premier League victory of the season. His curling finish, set up by Mohammed Kudus after 14 minutes, opened the scoring and offered a glimpse of what Tottenham have been missing during his absence.

The 29-year-old’s last competitive start came in May 2025. He returned towards the end of last season after an ACL injury, but further setbacks delayed his full return. Maddison said he had discussed the timing with manager Roberto De Zerbi and felt this was the right week to come back into the starting XI.

“I just wanted to play well and to show my qualities and what the team has missed in the last 18 months,” Maddison told Sky Sports. He also said he had “so much more to give” the club, with two years remaining on his contract.

The goal was the clearest moment, but Maddison’s influence was not limited to the finish. Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe noted that he dropped deep, found space and threaded passes for Dominic Solanke. Solanke has two goals and two assists in two league appearances this season, giving Spurs a forward who can benefit from Maddison’s ability to connect midfield and attack.

That connection matters after a difficult start. Tottenham spent £334m on summer signings after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, but the new arrivals have struggled to make the desired impact. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Maddison as a potential “glue” for the team, while pointing to the competition for attacking places. Dejan Kulusevski came off the bench against Coventry for his first competitive appearance in 526 days, adding another option in the same area of the pitch.

The win lifts Tottenham to 16th, with six points from seven games. One result does not erase the problems behind that position, but Maddison’s return gives De Zerbi a proven creative option and a clearer route to linking his attackers. Spurs next travel to Chelsea on Saturday 24 October, with the challenge now to build on their first league win.