Tottenham Hotspur beat Coventry City 3-1 on Monday for their first Premier League win of the season, lifting themselves off the bottom of the table, the Guardian and BBC Sport reported.

James Maddison, making his first start in 18 months, opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a first-time right-foot finish from 20 yards off a pass from Mohammed Kudus, BBC Sport reported. Maddison missed most of last season with a knee ligament injury and then fractured his shoulder on the opening weekend of this season, BBC Sport reported.

Coventry equalized through Jack Rudoni before Omar Marmoush restored Tottenham's lead with a fierce effort in the 59th minute, his first goal since joining on loan from Manchester City, the Guardian reported. Coventry were angry about that goal, and Marmoush was fortunate not to be penalized for an elbow on Milan van Ewijk, the Guardian reported. Substitute Ben Davies drilled in the third goal in added time, the Guardian reported.

Home fans were also cheered by Dejan Kulusevski coming off the bench for his first appearance after more than a season out, the Guardian reported. He had been out since a knee injury in May 2025, the Guardian reported.

The result was not especially convincing, the Guardian reported, calling it a "messy but gritty" win under manager Roberto De Zerbi. It was only Tottenham's sixth win in their past 37 home league games, and their fourth league win overall in 2026, BBC Sport reported.

Maddison's importance was clear in the numbers, BBC Sport reported. Since his last start, at Liverpool in April 2025, Spurs had won only 11 of 49 league games, BBC Sport reported. De Zerbi had tried team dinners and a warm-weather break in Marbella to find a spark, BBC Sport reported.

What we know: Tottenham won 3-1 for their first league win of the season and are out of the bottom three.
What we don't: Whether Maddison and Kulusevski can stay fit and keep Tottenham climbing the table.