Six games without a victory, six games without a lead in the Premier League. Tottenham ended both on Monday night, beating Coventry 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to give Roberto De Zerbi his first win as Spurs manager, according to Goal. James Maddison opened the scoring in the 14th minute, Omar Marmoush doubled the lead after Coventry had leveled early in the second half, and substitute Ben Davies sealed it in stoppage time to lift Spurs off the bottom of the table.
Key Moments
- 14′, James Maddison puts Tottenham ahead, finishing from a pass by Mohammed Kudus to break the deadlock early.
- 49′, Jack Rudoni levels for Coventry four minutes into the second half, converting an assist from Brandon Thomas-Asante to make it 1-1.
- 58′, Omar Marmoush restores Tottenham’s lead, turning home an assist from Andrew Robertson to make it 2-1.
- 90′, Ben Davies, on as a substitute since the 69th minute, heads in from a Dominic Solanke delivery to put the result beyond doubt at 3-1.
Tactical Breakdown
Tottenham were comfortable in possession all evening, controlling 66% of the ball and completing 499 of 559 passes. De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 pressed high in the first half and created enough to have been further ahead at the break. Their 16 total shots compared to Coventry’s 12 told the story of a side that dominated without always converting, with an xG of 0.9 against 0.83 for the visitors suggesting the margin of victory perhaps flattered the home side slightly.
The match’s pivot came at 49 minutes when Coventry leveled through Rudoni shortly after the restart. De Zerbi responded by introducing Ben Davies and Conor Gallagher in the 69th minute, then Mateus Fernandes two minutes later, reshaping the midfield and shoring up the left flank after Robertson’s exit. Davies, playing only 21 minutes, proved the decisive late presence, heading in the third from Solanke’s cross to complete the win.
Coventry’s main issue was their inability to sustain pressure after equalizing. Their double substitution at the hour mark brought on Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka, but with only one shot on target all game and just 34% possession, they never threatened a second goal after Rudoni’s equalizer. The back line gave away three goals despite blocking four Tottenham attempts, and goalkeeper Rushworth was called upon twice to keep the score manageable in the first half.
Player Ratings
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Verdict
The win moves Tottenham off the bottom of the Premier League table, above the relegation zone, and gives De Zerbi his first three points since taking charge, according to the Guardian. It is far too early to read anything conclusive into a table where Spurs had played a game fewer than most rivals, but a first win was plainly needed, and Monday night provided it. Coventry, still sitting 16th on six points, will be frustrated at conceding from a set-piece situation in stoppage time after making the game competitive at 1-1.
Coventry
Tottenham
James Maddison