Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Coventry City, marking a positive start to the Roberto De Zerbi era. The match, played at Coventry’s home ground, also featured the long-awaited return of Dejan Kulusevski and the impactful comeback of James Maddison, both recovering from significant knee injuries.
Kulusevski was included on the bench for the first time since May 2025 after a serious knee injury that had threatened his career. Meanwhile, Maddison, who had yet to start a league game this season due to setbacks involving a knee injury, a pre-season hip issue, and a shoulder problem sustained earlier in the campaign, was drafted back into the starting lineup by De Zerbi. The midfielder’s performance silenced the Coventry crowd, who initially jeered his early touches. Maddison opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a precise right-footed strike curled into the top corner from just outside the penalty area, marking his first Premier League goal in 610 days.
Coventry’s Jack Rudoni responded quickly by leveling the match, but Spurs regained the lead through Omar Marmoush, who scored his first goal since transferring from Manchester City. The win was sealed deep into stoppage time when full-back Ben Davies netted an unexpected third goal, capitalizing on a save that goalkeeper Carl Rushworth might have been expected to handle.
The victory lifted Tottenham off the bottom of the league table and gave the club a much-needed morale boost following a recent training camp on the Costa del Sol. Despite the strong finish, De Zerbi expressed concern over ongoing injury issues. The manager made five changes to the lineup from the previous match, which had seen a spirited fightback to draw 2-2 against Manchester United despite being reduced to ten men. Injuries to key players including Savio, Lucas Bergvall, and Destiny Udogie influenced De Zerbi’s selections; Udogie aggravated a knee injury at Old Trafford, prompting De Zerbi to avoid risking his fitness.
Spurs also welcomed back captain Micky van de Ven and full-back Andy Robertson, both rested after heavy international commitments. The team deployed an unfamiliar formation featuring three central defenders as they faced early pressure from Coventry. The hosts had some early chances, including a close-range blocked shot by Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, a deflected effort over the bar, and a header that narrowly missed, but Tottenham’s resilience ultimately paid off.
The win represents a step forward for Tottenham, who are aiming to climb the Premier League standings amid a season hampered by injuries and uncertainty over form. De Zerbi’s tactical adjustments and the returning players’ contributions will be crucial as the team seeks momentum in the coming fixtures.