- Tottenham beat Coventry 3-1 on Monday night to secure a vital first Premier League win
- James Maddison made his first competitive start in 536 days and scored a spectacular opening goal
- Spurs will face Chelsea this Saturday at Stamford Bridge after moving up to 16th place
Spurs Find Relief After a Difficult Start
Roberto De Zerbi said he was satisfied after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Coventry on Monday night, a result that offered much-needed relief following a testing opening phase of the campaign. The North London side had been languishing at the bottom of the table, but the win lifted them to 16th place and gave the squad breathing room during a busy fixture schedule.
The Tottenham manager did not claim the display was his side’s best performance, but he underlined the importance of navigating a dangerous assignment against Frank Lampard’s Coventry team, particularly because of their threat on the counter-attack.
“We are very happy for the result. If I’m honest, I think we played better in other games, for example at Old Trafford,” De Zerbi told the Premier League website.
“It was important to get this result. When you play a team like Coventry, you can’t see the difficult situation, but if you make a mistake then you see a counter-attack.”
🚨🎙️ Roberto De Zerbi believes #THFC have played ‘MUCH BETTER’ in previous games than tonight: 👀
“I think we played much better in other games. Old Trafford, Aston Villa especially in the first half, Everton especially in the first half, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.”
Do you agree? 🤷♂️
— Hotspur Lane (@HotspurLane) October 19, 2026
Clear-the-Air Meeting Helped Change the Mood
De Zerbi pointed to a change in mentality as a key factor behind Tottenham’s improvement. Before their resilient 1-1 draw at Manchester United, the squad held a candid meeting that the manager believes helped lay the foundation for a stronger collective response in both form and spirit.
Rather than focusing only on tactical adjustments, De Zerbi stressed the human and psychological elements inside the dressing room. He said responsibility had to be accepted before the team could move forward.
“It’s important. The result is important but most important, two things. First one, we are able to realise we can win a game like other teams in the Premier League. The second thing, if we put [in] something from ourselves like we have done in the last two weeks. The day before Old Trafford we had a big meeting and spoke about the situation. We can’t accept and can’t move on if we don’t accept responsibility,” the Spurs manager revealed.
Marbella Trip Built Unity Away from Routine Pressures
Tottenham also spent time at a warm-weather training camp in Marbella last week, with De Zerbi using the trip to strengthen relationships within the squad. The manager wanted the players to spend meaningful time together away from the normal pressures of their schedule, believing that closer personal bonds can prove decisive when difficult moments arrive during matches.
“This week has been important because we spend time together and want to be like a family. During the game if you have a problem and there is a tough situation you have to play for your friend and your brother, not like 11 robot players on the pitch,” he said.
Maddison and Kulusevski Add Quality and Leadership
The returns of important players from long-term injury absences also contributed to Tottenham’s resurgence. Maddison made his first competitive start in 536 days and marked it with a spectacular opening goal, giving the home crowd a reminder of his creative quality.
De Zerbi highlighted Maddison’s individual class and importance to the team after the match.
“Maddison scored a great goal and that is important, he is a different player,” he added.
The evening was also significant for Dejan Kulusevski, who came onto the pitch for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in May 2025. De Zerbi revealed that Kulusevski received a special reception in the dressing room after the game, describing it as an important moment for both player and club.
“And we celebrated Kulusevski in the dressing room at the end of the game. It is a great thing for us and the player.”
De Zerbi also emphasised that Maddison and Kulusevski bring more than technical ability. Their experience, personality and leadership have had a clear effect on the atmosphere around the squad.
“They are different players. Different talent, different experience, different personality. With them in the dressing room there is another atmosphere,” the manager stated.
Momentum Tested by Chelsea Trip
With high-calibre players returning to the starting eleven, De Zerbi now has more of the tools needed to apply his expansive style of play. Tottenham’s immediate task is to carry the close-knit, family atmosphere developed behind the scenes into consistent performances on the pitch.
That momentum will face a tougher test on Saturday, when Spurs make the cross-town journey to face London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
