Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi highlighted a renewed sense of unity within his squad following their recent matches, emphasizing the impact of a team meeting and bonding session ahead of their Premier League fixtures. Tottenham drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford while reduced to 10 men and secured a 3-1 home victory over Coventry City, results that lifted them out of the relegation zone into 16th place.
De Zerbi attributed the improved team spirit to a candid meeting held prior to the United game, where he said the players were urged to take collective responsibility for their performances. “We can’t accept and can’t move on if we don’t accept responsibility,” he stated. The manager also mentioned that the squad had spent time together in Marbella the previous week for warm weather training and team-building activities, aiming to foster a family-like atmosphere among the players.
During the win against Coventry, James Maddison marked his return to the starting lineup after 536 days with a goal, giving Tottenham the lead. Coventry equalized through Jack Rudoni, but goals from Omar Marmoush—his first since departing Manchester City—and Ben Davies secured the three points for Spurs. De Zerbi acknowledged the performance could have been improved but praised the players’ mindset and determination over recent weeks. Dejan Kulusevski also made a notable comeback as a substitute, returning from a serious knee injury sustained in May.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort, particularly highlighting their resilience in the match. However, he questioned the decision not to overturn Marmoush’s goal after the player appeared to strike Milan van Ewijk with an elbow. “If you roll and your elbow is that high and it connects with Milan, I thought VAR would cancel it,” Lampard said. Despite the defeat, Lampard remained optimistic about his side’s progress, noting that with the score at 2-1, Coventry were pushing hard to influence the outcome.
The recent results have offered Tottenham a boost as they seek to climb further away from the relegation zone under De Zerbi’s management, with improved cohesion and accountability among the squad cited as key factors moving forward.