Spurs rankings vs Coventry City
Spurs battled to a much needed 3-1 win over Coventry City last night. The home side were winless in their opening six league fixtures, picking up just three points in draws versus Everton, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
In the buildup to the match, fans were left excited by the news of Dejan Kulusevski returning to the matchday squad for the first time since his injury versus Crystal Palace in 2025 as well as James Maddison making his first start in 534 days.
Despite the result, there's an argument to make that the overall performance wasn't as positive as previous matches - which includes results that ended in defeat.
So, who were the standouts last night?
Antonin Kinsky - 6/10
Kinsky was called upon a few times in the first half, having to win a ground duel and prevent an early opener for Coventry, however for the most part was relatively untested. The Czech international prevented 0.81 goals and was unfortunate to have to face Coventry's biggest chance of the game from point blank, resulting in conceding a goal. For the most part Kinsky looked comfortable being pressed and continues to offer Spurs an extra body playing out from the back.
Andy Robertson - 6/10
Andy Robertson completed 69 minutes before being substituted due to picking up an injury. The Scotsman is now rumoured to be out for multiple weeks, leaving Spurs Head Coach, Roberto De Zerbi, with another obstacle to overcome at left back.
Multiple times Robertson was seen to be struggling holding width that benefitted the side. Balancing being an attacking outlet before having to transition into defending left Coventry with space down their right hand side, something that only a few years ago would have been no problem for the player. There's no denying the experience Robertson offers, but the difference in quality when Udogie starts and doesn't is night and day.
Tosin Adarabioyo - 8/10
A solid display and my highest rated defender of the match. Tosin won 88% (7) of his aerial duels, offering much needed reinforcement in an area that's a huge weakness amongst the Spurs defence. Throughout he was comfortable on the ball and got to work when Coventry ramped up their intensity near the back end of the game. Tosin also completed 91% (63) passes, made one tackle, 4 clearances while committing zero fouls.
It was no surprise that past the 73rd minute mark - when he came off due to injury - that Spurs looked shaky when defending. Away from his box defending, Tosin has shown in recent weeks, in particular during training sessions, to be a vocal leader. A rare but welcomed personality within the Tottenham squad.
Jan Paul van Hecke - 5/10
Uncomfortable conversations have been had about van Hecke and yesterday proved why. For all his ball playing abilities which does rank as some of the best in the world, far too often he was late jumping in and therefore left the backline exposed. Without van de Ven's elite recovery pace, Coventry would have been one on one with Kinsky in the first half.
There's no doubting the impact he had breaking down Coventry's low block, making 24 line-breaking passes and 18 passes into the final third, but the risk he poses game after game can't be ignored. This was highlighted when in the 49th minute he lost the ball on the edge of the halfway line before being unable to close down the attempt in his own box, resulting in Rudoni equalising. When you look at the performance Senesi put in last week versus Manchester United last week, it's becoming harder and harder to justify.
Micky van de Ven - 7/10
Micky won 3 ground duels, 3 aerial duels and won 2 tackles as well as making ten passes into the final third with a clearer variation of passes, as opposed to the pass out to the full back when transitioning that we saw frequently last season. His one vs one defending may come into question at times, but his athletic qualities and ability on the ball truly highlight how important he is to De Zerbi and the way Tottenham play.
Sandro Tonali - 8/10
Tonali's best game in a Spurs shirt. Wherever the ball was, Tonali wasn't far away, and that's exactly why he was signed: to bring intensity and overturn possession before making his way up the field. Tonali completed 15 defensive contributions, the most of any player on the pitch. He made 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 interception and 7 recoveries as well winning 5/9 ground duels.
Many eyebrows were raised at the fee for the Italian in the summer, however if these performances since last night and Manchester United the week before continue, he is on his way to becoming a fan favourite and undroppable.
Archie Gray - 7/10
It's a rarity getting to see Archie Gray play in midfield, but I was really impressed. Gray looked composed, moved the ball well and worked like an engine, covering 12.4km which was the most of any player.
Gray's Spurs career is a difficult one to rate, he seems to have played every position other than his own during the 2 years he's been here. Nevertheless, Gray showcased his potential last night, making 2 tackles, 1 block, 1 interception and 4 clearances whilst winning 60% (6) of his ground duels. It was particularly nice to see his relationship with Kudus and Maddison down the right hand side at times.
James Maddison - 9/10
The star performer for Spurs and was the main reason for registering Spurs' first win, with a brilliant strike from outside the box to put Tottenham ahead, Maddison dictated play until the moment he was subbed off.
On his first start since Bodo Glimt in the Europa League semi-final in 2025, Maddison won 100% (4) of his ground duels and made five passes into the final third. His importance to this Spurs side is clear to see, in 48 games that he's featured in, Spurs have won 25 games equating to 52.1%. Whereas without, Spurs have won just 17 times in 73 matches (23.3%).
Omar Marmoush - 6/10
A very average performance excluding his goal, which was taken superbly. Ultimately we've seen that Marmoush isn't a winger, in particular a winger that has to hold width because their left back can't. Aside from the goal, Marmoush completed zero dribbles, zero accurate crosses and won just 20% (2) of ground duels.
With Maddison pulling the strings centrally, it remains to be seen whether Marmoush will feature often in a more central role that suits him, or whether adjustments need to be made to get him into more central positions coming in off the left. A goal is a goal nonetheless, but his overall game was pretty poor.
Mohammed Kudus - 8/10
It was clear to see Mohammed Kudus' fitness is slowly but surely returning, because this was his best performance so far this season. His ball retention was excellent and shoulder to shoulder he got the better of Dasilva frequently who consequently received a yellow card for bringing him down in the first half.
Kudus played 87 minutes and registered an assist whilst also completing the joint highest amount of dribbles, 100% (2) accurate long balls and 57% (4) ground duels.
Despite tiring later on in the second half, Tottenham often looked the most threatening down the right hand side through Kudus, a step in the right direction for the 26-year-old.
Dominic Solanke - 5/10
It's a pretty brief section on Solanke. He started a bit slow like in previous games, however in the second half when teams began to tire he stepped it up a gear. Solanke registered 1 assist, one dribble and three shots - the joint most of the match.
Everyone knows the quality Dom has to offer, injuries have prevented Spurs fans from seeing this for some time, hope is riding on whether he can rediscover his 2024/25 form.
Ben Davies - 7/10
Mr Reliable, very dependable and lots of experience when closing out a game. And to round it off, an outside of the box trivela to seal the win and record scoring a goal in every single calendar year since 2016. With Robertson and Udogie looking to be sidelined for a while, Spurs will need all of Davies' experience versus Chelsea next weekend.
Mateus Fernandes - 6/10
A bit of a poor introduction when he was subbed on in the 71st minute however quickly warmed to the game and was steady until the final whistle. There was concern when it was confirmed Fernandes would start as a substitute, however De Zerbi later confirmed this was due to the birth of his child a few days prior and had therefore not trained.
Connor Gallagher - 6/10
Spurs lost control of the game when Maddison was substituted and replaced by Gallagher. Not because Gallagher was bad necessarily but more because he was deployed for Spurs to sit in and soak up pressure.
Connor won 100% (2) of his aerial duels, 100% (1) successful crosses completed and 10 accurate passes. After a string of good performances, Gallagher has shown himself to be a reliable rotation option.
Mathys Tel - N/A
Featuring for just 10 minutes, it would be harsh to rate Mathys Tel. However, in the occasions he received the ball out on the left hand side, he was too predictable, constantly trying to take the ball to the byline for a cutback as opposed to delivering and in-swinging cross on his stronger foot.
Dejan Kulusevski - N/A
The moment every Spurs fan in the stadium and across the world was waiting for. In the 87th minute, Dejan Kulusevski made his first appearance in 526 days after suffering a severe injury in April 2025. Despite not having much to contribute to during the game, it was fantastic to see his manoeuvrability looking exactly like it did all that time ago. It remains to be seen whether Kulusevski can replicate the form we've seen from him, but having a fan favourite back along with a win gave fans something to cheer about in a stadium that has seen some very dark moments over the last 12 months.
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