Maddison's return helps Tottenham secure their first league win

James Maddison opened the scoring as Tottenham beat Coventry City 3-1 for their first Premier League win of the season, moving off the bottom of the table. [2][6][7] Returning from an ACL injury, the 29-year-old was making his first competitive start since Tottenham's 2024-25 Europa League semi-final. [2] Why it matters: Tottenham gained both a league-table improvement and evidence of what Maddison can contribute after his long absence; he said he has "so much more to give" the club. [2] Key insights: Maddison's contribution was immediate: his curling strike from range opened the scoring rather than adding to an established lead. [2] | The result changed Tottenham's position at the bottom, but it was still only their first league victory of the season. [2] | His first start in nearly 18 months makes this a return-to-competition story as well as a match result. [2][7] Cheatsheet facts: What happened: Tottenham beat Coventry City 3-1 and moved off the foot of the Premier League. [2][6][7] | Why: Maddison opened the scoring with a long-range curling shot on his return to the starting lineup. [2] | The catch: This was Tottenham's first Premier League win of the season, not evidence yet of a sustained run. [2] | What we don't know: The supplied coverage does not establish Maddison's ongoing workload or whether he will start the next match. [2][6][7]