Tottenham 3-1 Coventry: Spurs Claim First Premier League Win

Tottenham finally have their first win of the season, and the feel-good factor that goes with it, thanks to fine goals from James Maddison and Omar Marmoush. The Monday night victory over newly promoted Coventry ended a long wait for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. It was their first league win in 148 days.

Maddison put Spurs ahead in the 14th minute. After a clever dummy, he sent a curled first-time effort over Rushworth and into the top corner. It was the first time Tottenham had led in a Premier League game this season. Maddison is a former Coventry player, which added some personal context to the celebration. He was emotional afterwards and said it felt like a “dream”.

The lead did not last long into the second half. Coventry levelled four minutes after the break through Jack Rudoni, following a catalogue of errors by Tottenham. The visitors, on their return to the top flight, had been a threat throughout. Sidiki Cherif was thwarted by a Jan Paul van Hecke block, and the home crowd grew anxious.

The nerves lasted only a few minutes. Parity lasted eight minutes, as Marmoush shrugged off Milan van Ewijk and powered an effort home from the edge of the box for his first Tottenham goal. Spurs then saw the game out with more composure than they have shown all season. Ben Davies squeezed an effort through Rushworth’s grasp in injury time to make sure of victory.

The night also had a wider significance. Dejan Kulusevski made his long-awaited return after 526 days out injured, coming on as a late substitute to loud cheers around the stadium. The win lifts Spurs out of the relegation zone to fifth-bottom, above Coventry on goal difference. For Tottenham, who sat bottom before kick-off, it is the first sign of daylight in a difficult start.