De Zerbi credits squad talks as Tottenham end winless start against Coventry

Tottenham secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-1 home win over Coventry on Monday, moving out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. According to the Guardian's post-match report, Roberto De Zerbi linked his team's improved attitude to a frank discussion among the squad before their recent meeting with Manchester United.

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That conversation preceded a 1-1 draw at United, where Spurs finished with 10 men. De Zerbi said accepting responsibility for the team's situation had been essential. He was pleased with the attitude against Coventry, although he believed the performance itself could have been better, and stressed the importance of the players recognising their ability to win.

The manager also pointed to last week's trip to Marbella, which combined training in warmer conditions with time together away from their usual surroundings. As reported by the Guardian, De Zerbi wanted those stronger relationships to carry into matches, with players supporting one another when difficulties arose rather than operating as isolated individuals.

James Maddison provided the opening goal on his return to the starting line-up. BBC Sport reported that he struck in the 14th minute, meeting Mohammed Kudus' pass with a first-time right-footed shot from 20 yards. Maddison had missed most of last season following an anterior cruciate ligament injury and then fractured his shoulder in this season's opening-weekend defeat at Brentford. He was replaced by Conor Gallagher after 69 minutes.

Jack Rudoni equalised for Coventry before Omar Marmoush scored his first Tottenham goal. Ben Davies added the third in stoppage time following an error by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, BBC Sport reported. There was also a late return for Dejan Kulusevski, who replaced Kudus in the 87th minute after 526 days out with a knee injury, giving Spurs another experienced attacking player back on the pitch.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard disputed the decision to allow Marmoush's goal. He told the Guardian he had expected a VAR intervention over an elbow making contact with Milan van Ewijk. Lampard nevertheless praised his team's display and said Coventry had been pressing for an equaliser while the score remained 2-1.