The Japan Times - James Maddison Leads Tottenham to First League Victory of Season

James Maddison marked his return to Tottenham’s starting side by driving a 3-1 win over Coventry, ending the club’s winless opening to the league season.

James Maddison made a sensational return to Tottenham’s starting line-up on Monday as Roberto De Zerbi’s side beat Coventry 3-1 for their first Premier League win of the season. On a feel-good night in London, Maddison marked his first start in 17 months with a spectacular early goal, while Dejan Kulusevski returned to the matchday squad after missing all of last season.

Jack Rudoni equalized early in the second half, but Spurs were back in front just before the hour when Omar Marmoush fired home his first goal for the club, and substitute Ben Davies sealed the win in stoppage time.

“I just wanted to play well, I just wanted to show my qualities and show what I bring to the team and what the team’s missed,” Maddison told Sky Sports. The 29-year-old stated he believed he could support lift his team up the table after they narrowly avoided relegation last season. “I’ve still got plenty of years left, and I have a lot of self-belief, and I know that I have quality that can really support us in this league.”

Spurs started the match bottom of the Premier League, the only team in England’s top six divisions without a league win this season, despite heavy spending in the summer. De Zerbi had taken his squad to Marbella in southern Spain for warm-weather training to kickstart their season, and it paid off against Frank Lampard’s competitive Coventry side.

Maddison, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in August 2025, just three months after injuring the same knee, opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Taking a pass from Mohammed Kudus just outside the penalty area, he curled the ball past Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Newly promoted Coventry equalized in the 49th minute, when Rudoni’s first shot hit a teammate and fell back to him to drive home from close range. Nine minutes later, Marmoush, on loan from Manchester City, held off Milan van Ewijk before unleashing a powerful long-range shot. Kulusevski, whose career was interrupted by a knee injury in May 2025, came off the bench in the closing minutes to a huge ovation, and veteran Davies poked home from the edge of the area to make the points safe. The win lifts Spurs to 16th, giving De Zerbi much-needed breathing space.

M.Ito--JT