Son Heung-min was left speechless in shock as his 'close friend,' who had collapsed during the farewell match, scored a stunning comeback goal after a mere 18 months... Tottenham succeeds in escaping last place

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

James Maddison (30), who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and collapsed during Son Heung-min's farewell match at Tottenham last year, scored a fantastic wonder goal in his first start after a full 18 months. Tottenham Hotspur defeated Coventry City, finally escaping the frustrating quagmire of winless starts and recording their first league victory of the season.

The British media outlet 'BBC' highlighted on the 20th (Korean time) that "Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is leading Tottenham, deployed everything from psychological counseling to team-building meals and a training camp in Marbella to reignite the team's lost spark, but the answer lay with Maddison, who returned to the starting lineup after 18 months."

Tottenham secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Coventry in their home match in Round 7 of the 2026~2027 English Premier League (EPL) on this day, successfully escaping last place.

The primary contributor to the victory on this day was undoubtedly Maddison.

Maddison suffered a worst-case injury, tearing his right knee's anterior cruciate ligament during the preseason friendly against Newcastle United held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in August last year, which also served as Son Heung-min's farewell match at Tottenham, causing him to miss the entire season. Son Heung-min could not hide his regret, covering his mouth as he looked at Maddison, who had collapsed during the farewell match.

The curse of injury continued. Maddison suffered a fractured shoulder in this season's opening match against Brentford, compounding his misfortune.

The match against Coventry was different. Maddison made the league starting LINEUP for the first time in 18 months, since the match against Liverpool in April 2025.

His class remained intact. Maddison exploded with his presence just 14 minutes into the first half. Receiving a pass from Mohamed Kudus, he sliced into the far corner of Coventry's goal with a picture-perfect right-footed non-stop curling shot from approximately 18 meters outside the penalty box.

The extent to which Maddison's absence has been painful for Tottenham is proven by the records. Since Maddison's last league goal against Manchester United in February 2025, Tottenham managed only 12 wins in 57 league matches. Furthermore, since his last start in April 2025, they have recorded just 11 wins (and 23 losses) in 49 matches. Before this victory, Tottenham had managed only 6 wins in their last 37 home games; with Maddison's return, they scored three or more goals at home for the first time since the opening match against Burnley last season.

Subsequently, Tottenham conceded an equalizer to Coventry's Jack Rudoni, but completed a decisive 3-1 victory with Omar Marmoush's debut goal after his transfer and Ben Davies' winning goal in stoppage time of the second half. Not only Maddison, who was substituted off for Conor Gallagher in the 24th minute of the second half to receive a standing ovation from home fans, but also Dejan Kulusevski, who had been sidelined for a staggering 526 days due to a knee injury, made his comeback appearance by coming on as a substitute in the 42nd minute of the second half.

According to 'BBC,' Maddison stated in a post-match interview, "I spoke with the manager over the weekend and felt that now was the right time to return to the starting LINEUP." He added, "I wanted to show what the team had been missing during these past 18 months and what my abilities are. I am happy to have repaid the manager's wish for me to enjoy the game from the bench, and it is perfect because I scored a goal as well."

Manager De Zerbi also spared no praise, stating, "Maddison and Kulusevski are players who bring completely different talents and personalities to the team. The atmosphere itself changed completely with their return to the locker room."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original