Maddison Magic, Kulusevski's Return and a Long-Awaited Win: Have Spurs Finally Turned a Corner?

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Spurs fans finally had something to celebrate on Monday night football. A first Premier League victory of the season, James Maddison back among the goals and Dejan Kulusevski returning after 526 days on the sidelines. Spurs beat Coventry City 3–1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ending a six-match winless start to their league campaign and lifting themselves off the bottom of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 Coventry City | Premier League | 19 October 2026

The result also ended an unwanted stat, Tottenham were the last of England's 92 Football League clubs still waiting for a league win this season. For Roberto De Zerbi, it was much-needed relief after a difficult opening to the campaign. But despite the scoreline, Tottenham's performance showed there is still plenty to improve.

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Maddison Answers Coventry Boos With a Moment of Magic

James Maddison could hardly have scripted a better return to Tottenham's starting XI. Making his first competitive start since May 2025, the midfielder faced his boyhood club Coventry, whose travelling supporters booed him from the opening stages. It took just 14 minutes for Maddison to respond.

After Mohammed Kudus created space down the right, Maddison met his pass with a superb first-time curling effort from around 22 yards, leaving goalkeeper Carl Rushworth helpless. It was his first Premier League goal in 610 days. His celebration that followed was just as intriguing.

Maddison initially appeared reluctant to celebrate against his former club before performing his trademark darts celebration and kissing the Tottenham badge. Was the badge kiss a pointed response to the Coventry supporters who had been booing him? Maddison has not confirmed that was his intention, but the circumstances certainly suggested there could have been a message behind it. It was also an emotional moment for a player whose career has been interrupted by serious knee injuries.

And the statistics underline just how badly Spurs have missed him. Since Maddison's previous Premier League goal against Manchester United in February 2025, Tottenham had won only 12 of their next 57 league matches. Since his last league start in April 2025, they had managed just 11 wins in 49 games.

His return immediately gave Tottenham something they have lacked: creativity between the lines, composure in possession and a genuine attacking threat from midfield.

Spurs Respond After Coventry Fight Back

Despite Maddison's early breakthrough, Tottenham struggled to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities. Coventry remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Brandon Thomas-Asante forcing Micky van de Ven into an important recovery challenge before half-time.

The visitors equalised five minutes after the restart when former Spurs midfielder Jack Rudoni reacted quickest to a blocked effort and fired past Antonín Kinský. For Tottenham, it was another familiar setback. Since the start of the 2024/25 season, Spurs have dropped 30 points from winning positions at home in the Premier League, more than any other club during that period.

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This time, however, they responded. Omar Marmoush restored the lead shortly before the hour mark, holding off Milan van Ewijk before striking from the edge of the penalty area. It was the Egyptian's first Tottenham goal since making his big money move from Manchester City, coming on his seventh appearance for the club.

Coventry continued to threaten, but Ben Davies finally secured the points in the sixth minute of stoppage time, finishing low into the bottom corner after Dominic Solanke helped the ball into his path.

The celebrations that followed reflected the importance of a victory that had been a long time coming for this Spurs side.

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Kulusevski's 526-Day Nightmare Finally Ends

Whilst Maddison provided a spectacular moment of magic on the pitch, Dejan Kulusevski's return was arguably the most emotional story of the evening. The Swedish international made his first competitive appearance in 526 days when he replaced Kudus late in the second half. His lengthy absence was all the more remarkable given how the injury was initially described.

In May 2025, then-manager Ange Postecoglou suggested Kulusevski's knee problem was little more than a knock and not particularly serious. Within days, however, the midfielder required surgery on his right patella. A second operation and further setbacks followed, turning what initially appeared to be a manageable injury into more than 17 months away from competitive football.

For Tottenham, his absence has been significant. Kulusevski's ability to carry the ball, create chances and retain possession under pressure made him one of Spurs' most influential attacking players before his injury.

His brief appearance against Coventry was understandably about rebuilding confidence rather than immediately producing match-winning moments. But with Maddison also returning, Tottenham suddenly have two creative players available who could transform their attacking options. The challenge will be managing their fitness while gradually restoring the influence they once had.

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The Stats Reveal Why Spurs Still Have Work to Do

Tottenham dominated possession against Coventry, but the underlying numbers suggest the 3–1 scoreline was somewhat flattering. Despite enjoying almost two-thirds of possession, Tottenham generated just 0.87 expected goals. That figure suggests their victory owed more to clinical finishing and individual brilliance than consistently creating high-quality opportunities.

Remarkably, all three Tottenham goals came from outside the penalty area, the first time a Premier League team had achieved that feat since Fulham against Leicester City in May 2023. Maddison's opener was outstanding, while Marmoush and Davies also made the most of their opportunities. But relying on spectacular finishes is unlikely to provide a sustainable route to consistent victories.

Spurs moved the ball confidently for periods and showed greater attacking intent, yet they still struggled to break Coventry down. Defensively, they also looked vulnerable when the visitors attacked quickly. There were positives, particularly their response to conceding, but De Zerbi will know the performance was far from convincing.

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Defensive Frailties Remain a Concern

While Tottenham's returning attacking stars offer renewed optimism, their problems at the back remain a significant concern. The departure of Cristian Romero has left a considerable void in the defence, both in terms of leadership and physical presence.
Summer arrival Jan Paul van Hecke has yet to fully live up to expectations, while Andrew Robertson has struggled to rediscover his best form following the club's decision to sell Djed Spence. Those changes have contributed to a back line that still looks vulnerable, particularly when opponents break quickly or exploit the space left behind Tottenham's defence.

There were, however, some encouraging signs against Coventry. Tosin Adarabioyo looked assured in defence in the wing back position, before being forced off through injury, offering glimpses of the defensive stability Spurs have been missing. His injury will be another concern for De Zerbi, particularly given the need to establish a settled and reliable defensive partnership.

Micky van de Ven's recovery challenge to deny Thomas-Asante was another important moment, but Tottenham cannot continually rely on individual defensive interventions. For De Zerbi, finding the right balance between attacking ambition and defensive security remains one of his biggest challenges.

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