Tottenham Hotspur closed out the seventh round of Premier League fixtures with a 3-1 victory over Coventry City in front of 60,913 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a scoreline that was comfortable in the end and anything but for an hour.
James Maddison set the tone, sweeping Spurs in front after 14 minutes at the end of a move he had started in his own half, and for the opening period the home side's football carried the fluency their supporters have been demanding since the draw at Old Trafford.
Coventry refuse to fold
The visitors, thumped 4-1 winners over Newcastle only eight days ago, were never likely to roll over. Five minutes after the restart Callum Rudoni, their matchwinner from the spot in that game, brought the Sky Blues level with a low finish that silenced the home end and briefly put the contest in the balance.
The parity lasted eight minutes. Omar Marmoush restored Spurs' lead on 58 minutes, arriving at the far post to convert a move that had opened Coventry down the right, and from there the home side managed the game with a maturity that has not always been their hallmark. Deep into stoppage time, Ben Davies rose to head a third and put the result beyond any lingering doubt.
Tottenham 3-1 Coventry: Key Facts
- Maddison opened the scoring on 14 minutes after a flowing Spurs move.
- Rudoni levelled for Coventry five minutes after half time.
- Marmoush restored the lead on 58 minutes at the far post.
- Davies headed the third in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
- Attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: 60,913.
The state of play after seven
The win keeps Spurs in touch with the leading pack at the end of a matchweek that belonged to others. Manchester City made it seven wins from seven against Ipswich, Brighton produced the performance of the weekend in a 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, Arsenal ground out a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool responded to their Anfield humbling by winning at Brentford.
Attention now turns to Europe, with Liverpool and City both in Champions League action at home on Tuesday night. For Spurs, a home game won and a creative hub in form: after the frustration of recent weeks, that will do nicely.