· 2 min readIn this Tottenham vs Coventry match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Tottenham came into matchday seven still without a win in the Premier League. Three draws, three defeats and a situation that was starting to become worrying. Even so, there were signs of improvement in De Zerbi’s football, and Coventry, despite coming from the second division, were hardly an easy opponent either. After losing their first four games, Frank Lampard’s side had won their next two, including an emphatic 4-1 victory over Newcastle.
The big news for the London side was James Maddison, making his first start in 17 months. And it quickly became clear what Tottenham had been missing. De Zerbi set his team up with three centre-backs, but it was Maddison’s creativity that unlocked the game.
In the 14th minute, Kudus left his opponent behind with a lovely nutmeg, cut inside and found the midfielder on the edge of the box. Maddison took a touch and curled the ball towards the far post. A superb goal. Tottenham’s first shot on target, and they were already 1-0 up.
The problem was that, apart from that moment of inspiration, very little happened. Tottenham had the ball, at one point exceeding 70% possession, but couldn’t create a consistent threat. Coventry, more compact and comfortable defending in a low block, actually looked more dangerous when they managed to break forward. In the 39th minute, Solanke had a good chance after a pass from Tonali, but took too long to decide what to do and fired well over the bar.
At half-time, there had been just one shot on target, Maddison’s goal. A poor first half, rescued by a player who had almost single-handedly made the difference.
Tottenham needed to control the game better, but instead they handed Coventry an equaliser.
In the 49th minute, a mistake from Van Hecke allowed Coventry to launch a counter-attack. Rudoni exchanged passes with a teammate inside the box, received the ball back and struck a shot with little power. Kinský let it slip under his hand and into the net. A chaotic goal, with the goalkeeper clearly at fault, but one that rewarded the visitors’ persistence. Just like Tottenham, Coventry had scored with their first shot on target.
The response came in the 58th minute. Robertson found Marmoush outside the box, and the striker placed a superb shot just inside the far post. Coventry appealed for a foul on Milan van Ewijk earlier in the move, but the goal stood. Tottenham had regained the lead, this time with real quality in the finish.
Maddison came off in the 69th minute after playing a crucial role in the team’s attacking build-up. Tottenham lost their creativity and Coventry began to grow into the game, pushing the London side backwards.
De Zerbi reorganised the defence, but the feeling was that Tottenham were more concerned with protecting their lead than looking for a third goal. At the other end, Coventry lacked the quality to turn possession into clear chances. Aimless crosses weren’t going to solve the problem.
In the 86th minute, the crowd received another piece of good news: Kulusevski returned to action after 17 and a half months out injured. His movement still looked a little restricted, but the return itself was already significant.
The final relief came in the 90+6th minute. Tel crossed from the left, Solanke managed to hold the ball up and laid it off for Ben Davies, who struck it with the outside of his boot. The shot stayed low, and Rushworth let it slip under his arm. A howler that ended any hopes Coventry had of getting back into the game.
Post-match
Tottenham finally secured their first league win. Maddison showed what he can bring to the team, but they still need far more consistency. The three points feel good. The performance, not so much.
