3 positives & negatives from Tottenham's 2-1 win against Coventry

Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Coventry City in the Carabao Cup certainly gave fans plenty to talk about. While Spurs managed to advance to the next round, the match was far from straightforward, with both positives and negatives emerging from the performance. Here’s a breakdown of three key positives and three worrying negatives from the night.

3 positives & negatives from Tottenham's 2-1 win against Coventry

Positives

1. Late-game resilience: One of the most notable positives was Tottenham's ability to snatch victory in the dying moments of the game. Despite struggling throughout, they found the grit to turn the game around in the final minutes. This resilience, showcased by Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson, who were involved in both goals, could be a valuable trait as the season progresses.

2. Impact of the substitutions: Ange Postecoglou’s changes, particularly the introduction of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, made a significant difference. Maddison, back at his boyhood club, provided the creative spark Tottenham had been missing, while Kulusevski’s energy and vision helped Spurs break down a resilient Coventry side. Both subs injected much-needed life into a stale performance.

3. Johnson’s cool finish: Brennan Johnson's injury-time winner was another positive takeaway. His composure in front of goal, especially with so much at stake, was impressive. After coming on early in the match due to Odobert's injury, Johnson didn’t let the pressure affect him, showing why Tottenham invested in him. This goal could be a big confidence boost for the young forward.

Negatives

1. Lack of attacking threat: For much of the match, Tottenham struggled to create meaningful chances, especially in the first half. With 74% possession and no shots on target at the break, the team’s attack looked disjointed. Despite dominating the ball, Spurs lacked any cutting edge, which is concerning against a Championship side like Coventry.

2. Defensive frailties: Tottenham were lucky not to concede more than one goal. Coventry consistently looked dangerous on the counter, and it was only some last-ditch defending from Spence and Ben Davies that kept Spurs in the game. Fraser Forster’s risky decision-making, such as coming off his line unnecessarily, nearly cost Tottenham dearly.

3. Injury worries: Odobert’s hamstring injury early on, followed by a possible knock to Timo Werner, added to Tottenham’s concerns. With a congested fixture schedule ahead, the last thing Spurs need is more injuries to key players. Postecoglou will hope these setbacks aren’t too serious.

While Tottenham escaped with a win, it was by no means a convincing performance. The positives, including Johnson’s late winner and the impact of the substitutes, were outweighed by a lack of attacking fluency and defensive vulnerabilities. Spurs will need to improve quickly if they are to compete on multiple fronts this season.