Kembali
Cov Kid James Maddison put Tottenham on course for their first Premier League win of the campaign against his home-town club Coventry City.
Although Jack Rudoni pulled the Sky Blues level early in the second half, Omar Marmoush restored Spurs’ lead shortly after in an entertaining game in which Frank Lampard’s men put up a determined battle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The visitors started brightly enough with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto whipping in a threatening cross which almost paid dividends for Sidiki Cherif before the Japanese winger cut inside the box and hit a shot that was deflected over the bar.
But Maddison struck home with a stunning first time shot to give Spurs the 14th minute lead, curling the ball into the far top corner to give Carl Rushworth no chance.
Cherif had a decent run at goal midway through the half but his attempted shot took a deflection at the last second to send it wide of the target in a first half largely dominated by the home side who enjoyed 71 percent of possession to the break.
City started the second half in determined mood, none more so than Caleb Yirenkyi and Rudoni who combined to charge down the left and cut into the box where the attacking midfielder hit his shot in off the keeper to equalise with 50 minutes on the clock.
However, Tottenham restored their lead nine minutes later when Omar Marmoush palmed off a challenge from Milan van Ewijk – the defender coming to a halt claiming a foul – only for the forward to continue and pick his spot across the keeper.
Make sure you never miss the latest Coventry City news and opinion by making Coventry Live one of your Google preferred sources.
Despite a late rally from City who went in search of a secoind equaliser, Spurs grabbed a third when sub Ben Davies hit a loose ball with the outside of his foot to fire through a crowd of players and beat Rushworth deep in stoppage time.
STARTING FORMATION: 4-5-1/4-2-3-1
CARL RUSHWORTH: 6
Well beaten by Maddison’s sublime first time shot into the far top corner for the early Tottenham lead. Decent distribution under pressure. Well beaten again for the second, this time Marmoush curling into the far corner.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 5.5
Worked hard getting in blocks and defending the threat from the flanks and worked well with Sakamoto on the occasional attack. Stopped in the box claiming to have been fouled with a hand in the face by Marmoush but the forward continued and fired into the far top corner to restore Spurs’ lead.
BOBBY THOMAS: 7
Headed and blocked most things that came his way and an aerial threat in the opposition box as well. Excellent throughout as he continues to look the part in the Prem.
ETHAN PINNOCK: 7
Read the game well and blocked and tackled pretty well to help keep Spurs at bay. Another decent game from the experienced head at the back.
JAY DASILVA: 5.5
Kudus was just too quick for him as he played the ball past him and then laid it back for Maddison for the early goal.
CALEB YIRENKYI: 5.5
Worked hard in the midfield battle ground but chasing shadows for long periods and not as effective as usual in a difficult game. More involved in the second half when he won the ball and drove forward to have a hand in Rudoni’s equaliser.
MATT GRIMES: 6.5
Sat deep as a third centre-back at times to provide an added shield by blocking space and making tackles against a slick and athletic opposition.
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO: 5/6
Making his first Premier League start, the Japanese winger spent plenty of time tracking back and closing down, including trying to keep tabs on Andy Robertson. A decent outlet going forward where he sent in a threatening cross for one chance and had a shot deflected over for a corner.
JACK RUDONI: 7.5
Decent on the ball in a frustrating first half against a really slick looking Spurs but showed brilliant determination after the break to pull City level with a good run and excellent finish in off the keeper from close range.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 6.5
Lively and hard working on the left flank where he started ahead of EMC and worked his socks off, tracking runners one minute and getting into attacking positions the next. Really solid shift for the team.
SIDIKI CHERIF: 6
Held the ball up well and a decent outlet on the counter where he had a couple of decent runs but was snuffed out for one and had his shot deflected wide for the other.
SUBSTITUTES:
TAIWO AWONIYI (60 mins, for Cherif): 5.5
Fresh legs and experience as City were chasing the game. Good positions in the box.
FRANK ONYEKA (60 mins, for Yirenkyi): 5.5
Added some much needed experience and a bit of bite.
GUSTAVO HAMER (78 mins, for Sakamoto): 5
Good to see him back on the pitch.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK (78 mins, for Thomas-Asante):
KAINE KESLER-HAYDEN (87 mins, for Rudoni):
Subs (not used): Dan Bentley (GK), Stephen Mfuni, Victor Torp, Ellis Simms.
TOTTENHAM (3-4-2-1): Antonin Kinsky; Tosin Adarabioyo, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven; Archie Gray, Sandro Tonali, James Maddison, Andy Robertson; Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush; Dominic Solanke.
Subs (not used): Martin Dubravka (GK), Marcos Senensi, Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel, Mateus Fernandes, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Callum Olusesi, Luca Williams-Barnett.
GOALS:
SPURS: Maddison (14), Marmoush (59), Davies (90+6)
SKY BLUES: Rudoni (50)
REFEREE: Andy Madley