Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Coventry City on Monday night. Goals from James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies lifted Roberto De Zerbi’s side off the bottom, as Spurs recovered from Jack Rudoni’s equaliser to claim three much-needed home points.
Speaking following Tottenham’s win at home this season, the italian head coach said "Yes, very happy for the result, very happy for Maddison, very happy for Deki Kulusevski. I think we played much better in other games, Old Trafford, Aston Villa especially in the first half, Everton especially in the first half, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, but we didn't play so well, not for our responsibility, but for their credit, for the Coventry credit, because playing against one team who defend so close, so compact with low block, it's always a very, very tough game. Especially in the first half we didn't move the ball so fast, I think we have been too predictable, but I knew before the game. We played three at the back, I want to explain why, because for the injured players in the midfield position, Conor Gallagher came back two days ago, and at the beginning of the week, the medical staff told me maybe he could be not available to play. Bergvall was injured, Mateus Fernandes worked just the last two days (in the Marbella training camp) for his son, and I thought three at the back was the best solution to defend the counter-attack, to have more control of the game, and for that I'm happy because we didn't concede a counter-attack. The Coventry style of play is 80 per cent counter-attack, and we didn't concede any counter-attack. We conceded one shot. We didn't create more chances or too many chances like the other games, to be honest, but I knew before the game, and I prepared the game, saying to the players this game was maybe the most difficult, because the defensive style of Coventry is different than Manchester United or the other games."
In the second half, James Maddison, Andy Robertson, and Tosin all came off the field. Robertson and Tosin both went down with what looked like injuries;; however, De Zerbi confirmed that all players who came off seem to be okay. "No, no, no, I think there are no injuries, nothing important."
Before the game, De Zerbi confirmed that Archie Gray would indeed get to play in his preferred position of centre midfield, this time alongside new summer signing, Sandro Tonali.
"I prepared the game three at the back, one midfielder and three players in the pocket, Marmoush, James Maddison and Archie Gray, with normally these three totally different players - Marmoush more an attacker, Maddison more a player in the pocket, for the link with the defenders, with Tonali, and Archie Gray to go in overlapping and underlapping Kudus. I think two players, they scored. Robertson played as a winger, and in the first half played very well. Kudus also, I liked his performance, and especially in the second half, because in the first half I think it was too difficult to find the space. Solanke played a good second half." Roberto said.
James Maddison marked his first competitive start since May 2025 with the goal that gave Tottenham a 1-0 lead at the interval. The midfielder struck after 14 minutes, collecting Mohammed Kudus’ pass and curling a superb effort from outside the penalty area beyond Carl Rushworth.
Dejan Kulusevski returned from a serious knee injury, coming off the bench for his first appearance since May 2025. The Swedish midfielder received a huge reception from Tottenham supporters, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s side another welcome boost.
"Different players. They are different players. Different talent, different experience, different personality. With them in the dressing room, there is another atmosphere." De Zerbi said about both Maddison and Kulusevski.
It was a welcome return for the Swedish International. "Listen Kudus, I thought he was playing well, I think he could finish the game, but I thought of Kulusevski just for the fans, because they waited (for) him on the pitch and in the last 5-10 minutes for extra time, we needed the support of the fans. They are fantastic with Kulusevski, with us, they suffered too much in the last two, three, four seasons, I don't know, but they deserve to celebrate many, many wins."
Tottenham recorded 65% possession and 16 shots in their 3–1 victory over Coventry, who managed 35% possession and 12 attempts.
However, the expected goals figures were considerably closer, with Spurs producing 0.87 xG compared with Coventry’s 0.82. The visitors also registered more touches inside the opposition penalty area, 26–24, suggesting the scoreline overstated Tottenham’s dominance in creating chances.
Spurs nevertheless converted their opportunities through James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies. Maddison received FotMob’s highest player rating of 8.3, ahead of Mohammed Kudus on 8.1, as Tottenham’s attacking quality ultimately proved decisive on a much-needed winning evening
Tottenham travel to Chelsea on Saturday, 24 October, before hosting Crystal Palace on Saturday, 31 October, with both London derbies kicking off at 5.30pm.
A trip to Leeds United follows on 7 November, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s side more chances to build momentum after finally securing their first league win.