Maddison marks first Spurs start in 18 months with stunning goal in Coventry win
James Maddison scored on his first Tottenham start in 18 months as Spurs beat Coventry 3-1 for their first Premier League win of the season, with Dejan Kulusevski also returning from a long injury absence.
James Maddison marked his first Tottenham start in 18 months with a spectacular 20-yard strike that helped Spurs to a 3-1 Premier League win over Coventry City — their first victory of the season, lifting them off the bottom of the table. The 29-year-old, who missed most of last season with an ACL injury and then fractured his shoulder at Brentford on the opening weekend, took Mohammed Kudus' pass first time in the 14th minute and arced a right-footed effort beyond keeper Carl Rushworth. Supporters gasped as the goal was replayed on the stadium's big screens, and Maddison celebrated with his trademark imaginary dart throw before kissing the badge against his former club.
Maddison told Sky Sports he had spoken to the manager over the weekend about feeling the time was right to return to the starting XI, adding that he wanted to show what the team had missed over the past 18 months. Roberto de Zerbi welcomed having Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski back, describing them as different players, talents and personalities whose presence changes the atmosphere in the dressing room. Kulusevski came on in the 87th minute for Kudus after 526 days out with a knee injury and received a rapturous reception.
The scoreline flattered Spurs. Jack Rudoni equalised for Coventry before Omar Marmoush's first goal for the club, another curling effort, restored the lead, and Ben Davies added a third in stoppage time after a dreadful error by Rushworth. It was only Spurs' sixth win in their past 37 home league games and their fourth league victory overall in 2026. The article notes the team had won just 12 of 57 Premier League matches since Maddison's previous top-flight goal against Manchester United in February 2025.
Maddison was the driving force, eager for the ball and constantly probing before tiring after the break, and he received a standing ovation when replaced by Conor Gallagher after 69 minutes. The article describes lingering nerves around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in De Zerbi's team, with the manager acknowledging this is only a start ahead of a demanding trip to Chelsea on Saturday evening. De Zerbi had previously tried various methods to revive Spurs, including team-bonding dinners and a break in Marbella, before Maddison provided the spark.
