Maddison scores as Tottenham beat Coventry for first league win

Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-1 home win over Coventry City on Monday, October 19. James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies scored for Roberto De Zerbi's side, who moved out of the relegation zone. TNT Sports reported that the result lifted Spurs above Coventry on goal difference.

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Maddison opened the scoring in the 14th minute on his first start for 18 months. His curling shot from around 20 yards beat Carl Rushworth, giving Tottenham a first-half advantage. Coventry responded after the interval, with Jack Rudoni equalising in the 49th minute. TNT Sports described Rudoni following up his own cross before finishing past Antonin Kinsky from close range.

Marmoush restored Tottenham's lead in the 58th minute with a shot from the edge of the area, his first goal for the club. Davies then made the result secure in the sixth minute of added time. After Dominic Solanke recovered a loose ball, the substitute's left-footed effort went through Rushworth's grasp, ending Coventry's hopes of taking a point.

According to Sky Sports, Tottenham had failed to win any of their opening six league games and began the evening at the bottom of the table. The victory took them to 16th on six points, level with Coventry. It also brought a return for Dejan Kulusevski, who came off the bench after 526 days sidelined by injury.

Maddison told Sky Sports he had spoken with De Zerbi during the week about returning to the starting line-up after an interrupted opening to the campaign. The midfielder said he wanted to demonstrate the qualities Tottenham had missed during his long absence from the starting side. He also stressed his belief that he still had plenty to contribute to the club.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard, meanwhile, questioned whether Marmoush's goal should have survived the video review. Sky Sports reported that he had expected VAR to disallow it. Despite the defeat, Lampard praised his team's performance and said Coventry were still pushing at 2-1, before Davies scored Tottenham's third goal in stoppage time.