De Zerbi credits squad meeting as Tottenham secure first league win

Roberto De Zerbi credited a squad meeting and time together in Marbella with improving Tottenham's unity after a 3-1 home victory over Coventry delivered their first Premier League win of the season. The result on Monday lifted Spurs to 16th and out of the relegation places, The Guardian reported.

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The Tottenham manager said players had discussed their situation before the recent trip to Manchester United, where they drew 1-1 despite being reduced to 10 men. According to The Guardian, De Zerbi stressed the need to accept responsibility, while saying the subsequent training and bonding trip had helped strengthen relationships within the squad.

James Maddison opened the scoring in the 14th minute, meeting a pass from Mohammed Kudus with a first-time right-footed shot from 20 yards, BBC Sport reported. Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was beaten by the strike as Maddison returned to the starting side after a prolonged period disrupted by injury.

BBC Sport reported that Maddison had missed most of the previous season following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season, then fractured his shoulder in this campaign's opening-weekend defeat at Brentford. He was replaced by Conor Gallagher after 69 minutes against Coventry and received a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Coventry equalised through Jack Rudoni before Omar Marmoush restored Tottenham's lead with his first goal since joining from Manchester City. Ben Davies then completed the scoring. The Guardian reported that Coventry manager Frank Lampard believed Marmoush's goal should have been disallowed over contact with Milan van Ewijk, although he praised his own team's performance.

Tottenham also welcomed back Dejan Kulusevski, who replaced Kudus in the 87th minute. BBC Sport reported that the midfielder had been absent for 526 days with a knee injury. His appearance provided a second significant return alongside Maddison's place in the starting line-up.

The win did not erase Tottenham's difficult recent record. BBC Sport noted it was only their sixth victory in 37 home league matches and their fourth league win of 2026. Their next Premier League assignment is away to Chelsea on Saturday.