James Maddison scored a superb long-range goal on his first Tottenham start in nearly 18 months as Spurs beat Coventry 3-1 for their first Premier League victory of the season.
The 29-year-old curled a precise effort into the top corner after 14 minutes, with Mohammed Kudus providing the pass, to give Roberto De Zerbi’s side a much-needed lead in north London and lift them off the bottom of the table.
Maddison returned towards the end of last season after recovering from an ACL injury but suffered several setbacks before finally making his first competitive start since May 2025, when Ange Postecoglou was still Tottenham manager.
“I have so much more to give for this club,” Maddison told Sky Sports. “I’m 29 and I still have plenty of years left. I have self-belief and plenty of qualities that can help us in this league.”
Tottenham spent £334m on new players during the summer after narrowly avoiding relegation, but their new signings had struggled to make the anticipated impact during a poor opening six games.
Maddison said he had discussed his return to the starting XI with De Zerbi during the week.
“I just wanted to play well and to show my qualities and what the team has missed in the last 18 months since my last start,” he said. “The gaffer asked me to play and wanted to enjoy watching me from the side, so hopefully I did that. A goal like that is always nice.”
He added: “They are the ones you dream of. Those dark days recovering from the ACL you dream of those moments and those goals. That is always the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said Maddison could become the player who connects Tottenham’s expensively assembled attack.
“He is seen as that type of player,” Carragher said. “He’s naturally one of those people in the game who is always laughing and joking, trying to lift people around the dressing room. I think he will have a big impact.”
Carragher also praised Maddison’s character, saying he had “that football arrogance that I like in players”, while noting that Tottenham have several attacking options, particularly with Dejan Kulusevski back.
Kulusevski made an emotional return from a 526-day injury absence when he came on as a substitute. Maddison said he felt “really emotional and proud” for his team-mate, adding: “Those moments and those goals they make it all worth it.”
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe said Maddison’s goal was only part of his influence. He highlighted the midfielder’s ability to drop deep, find space, feed Dominic Solanke’s runs and deliver from the half-spaces.
“Maddison looks like the piece that could link the £300m pieces of this Spurs puzzle together,” Rowe said. “Keeping him fit and firing is now essential to the club building on this game.”
