And breathe. Tottenham Hotspur are no longer winless in the Premier League, and their desperately needed 3-1 victory over Coventry City moved them up to the lofty heights of 16th in the table.
Roberto De Zerbi threw a spanner in the works 75 minutes before kick-off by naming a starting lineup that absolutely nobody foreshadowed. The Italian, having spent four days with his squad in Marbella, opted for a back three, perhaps hoping that the drastic tactical switch would have the same impact as when Antonio Conte pivoted to what he knew best a month into his Chelsea tenure.
Crucially, James Maddison started a Premier League game for the first time since April 2025, and Tottenham's No. 10 was the point of difference early. His delightful strike across Carl Rushworth was reminiscent of Harry Kane's against Crystal Palace in Covid times, yet it didn't fully ignite the Lilywhites.
Coventry were well in the contest and arguably started the brigher of the two teams. They were competitive throughout, and looked like they may well perpetuate Tottenham's misery when Jack Rudoni equalised at the start of the second-half.
But Omar Marmoush's first Spurs goal ensured our advantage was swiftly regained, and although the tension inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could've been felt from Timbuktu, this was to be a good night for De Zerbi's side.
We have played better without reward, so this sort of result was coming. An improvement is required at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, yet there's plenty to be happy about. Dejan Kulusevski is back after 526 days on the sidelines, and Ben Davies is scoring goals in 2026.
Tottenham 3–1 Coventry player ratings
Three points in N17! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lACSKpyNam
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 19, 2026
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Antonín Kinský (GK): 6/10—Wasn't his busiest night, despite the visitors' spirited display. Got a chunk of Rudoni's shot that crept past him.
Jan Paul van Hecke (CB): 6/10—It's all too volatile with Van Hecke. It's so up and down. He produced some admirably brave defensive moments, but was also responsible for giving the ball away in the build-up to Coventry's goal.
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB): 7.5/10—If the summer arrival is to be a success at this club, it'll be because he starts in the middle of De Zerbi's back three. Impressive, so he was bound to go off injured.
Micky van de Ven (CB): 7/10—Steady enough from the skipper, who produced a trademark recovery sequence towards the end of the first half.
Midfielders & Wing-Backs
Mohammed Kudus (RWB): 7/10—He certainly didn't do much defensive work, with De Zerbi leaving Van Hecke on an island. However, Kudus created the opening goal and was an effective outlet throughout. Ball retention seldom lets him down.
Archie Gray (CM): 6.5/10—I think Spurs are a defensively weaker side with Gray in midfield, but his bursts in the right half-space were at least a useful source of chance creation.
Sandro Tonali (CM): 8/10—We don't care if you don't think he's worth £100m. Tonali is a proper footballer who gets through so much work. A huge performance from the Italian.
James Maddison (AM): 8/10—Ah, so that's why we haven't been very good. Wrap him up him cotton wool.
Andy Robertson (LWB): 6/10—There was at least no fatal mistake from the experienced defender here, but he couldn't fitness the contest due to injury.
Forwards
Omar Marmoush (LF): 7.5/10—The Egyptian is yet to score in Lilywhite and had struggled to work his way into this encounter, yet there was never a doubt about the end result when he got away with an elbow on Milan van Ewijk to set up his big moment. Strikes the ball so cleanly.
Dominic Solanke (ST): 7/10—Couldn't build on his moment at Old Trafford with another goal, but did the donkey work this evening. For that, he deserves praise.
Substitutes
- Ben Davies (69' for Robertson): 7/10
- Conor Gallagher (69' for Maddison): 5/10
- Mateus Fernandes (71' for Tosin): 4/10
- Dejan Kulusevski (87' for Kudus): N/A
- Mathys Tel (87' for Marmoush): N/A
Player of the match: James Maddison
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