Photo via BBC Sport

Maddison's magic moment for Spurs - 18 months in the making

Tottenham Hotspur’s long-awaited resurgence in the Premier League finally took shape after 18 months of setbacks for midfielder James Maddison, who returned to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering an ACL tear and shoulder fracture. His first start since April 2025 ended in a spectacular fashion, scoring a 20-yard strike in the 14th minute to open a 3-1 victory over Coventry City—a result that marked Spurs’ first league win of 2026 and their first home game with three goals since last season’s opening day.

Maddison’s goal, a sweeping right-foot finish that left Coventry’s goalkeeper Carl Rushworth helpless, was met with stunned applause from Spurs fans and instantly became a symbol of hope for a team that had won just 12 of their last 57 league games since his last Premier League goal in February 2025. The victory, though narrow, was a rare bright spot for a Spurs side that had managed only six home wins in their previous 37 league matches, drawing 10 and losing 21—a stark reminder of the struggles under manager Roberto de Zerbi, who had previously resorted to psychological tactics and team-bonding efforts to reignite the squad’s fortunes.

Alongside Maddison’s return, the match also saw Dejan Kulusevski make his first appearance in 526 days after recovering from a knee injury, adding another layer of optimism to a night that, despite its flaws, offered a glimpse of the potential Spurs have been searching for all season.

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Spurs beat Coventry to claim first win as Kulusevski makes long-awaited return