Sports Mole

Frank Lampard refused to criticise the officials after Coventry City suffered a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.

Spurs secured their first Premier League win of 2026-27 as James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies got on the scoresheet.

However, Coventry had been in the game at 1-1 courtesy of Jack Rudoni's close-range finish before Marmoush's 20-yard strike survived a VAR call.

The Egyptian star caught Milan van Ewijk with a stray elbow that felled the Dutchman prior to his long-range effort.

While Lampard and the Coventry backroom staff appeared furious with the decision of the officials and VAR at the time, the Englishman did not focus on the incident after the game.

Lampard reacts to Coventry's defeat to Spurs

Although Lampard claimed that the decision was "questionable", he instead prioritised speaking on another encouraging performance from the Sky Blues.

Lampard told BBC Sport: "Very pleased with the performance. We were in the game to say the least. Two outstanding goals for them, the second was questionable because the arm up in the face but quality finish.

"I am proud of the performance. 3-1 feels nasty at the end because of the last goal. We created some good moments. We wanted to start well as they start well in every game they have played here but haven't got what they deserved.

"The feeling and flow of the game we were brave and getting people up on their top line. Individuals were showing their quality with Rudoni and Thomas-Asante - eight of the boys played in the Championship last year and now they have shown they have grown.

"I don't like the fixture list game, they are all hard. Are we happy? We will always want more, we feel there's a couple more points we felt we could have had."

© Iconsport / SPI

What next for Coventry?

Despite recent victories over Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, Coventry are down in 17th position in the Premier League table.

Lampard's side now face two potentially-pivotal fixtures at home to Fulham and Sunderland, the teams sitting in 18th and 20th place respectively.

As Tottenham Hotspur go in search of their first Premier League win of the season at home to Coventry City on Monday night, Sports Mole site coordinator Ben Knapton discusses Roberto De Zerbi's chances of being sacked if Spurs suffer a shock loss, while also sending the Tottenham boss a firm James Maddison demand.

Tottenham vs. Coventry: James Maddison "absolutely" has to start Premier League clash

I said before the Everton game that Spurs' attack was scary, and now they've got the fourth-worst attack in the league in terms of underperforming their expected goals.

But a lot of it comes down to not just creating chances, but creating high-quality chances, proper good chances for the wingers and strikers, because Maddison's had a very disruptive start to the season.

Dejan Kulusevski is nearly there, but it's been over 500 days, so it's going to take a while for him to get back to the level he was at. If he can get there, that's a huge boost for De Zerbi at a time when he needs it.

Xavi Simons is still out for a few months as well, so that's three of their chief creators who have either not played this season at all, or had a really disrupted start to the campaign.

De Zerbi has been very cautious with Maddison after the ACL and then his shoulder issues, with other small setbacks in recent months, but he just absolutely has to come into that starting team now.

Bentancur is now suspended, you could have the likes of Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Gallagher in midfield, but if Maddison's fit, he absolutely has to be starting a run of games now to increase the quality of the chances Tottenham are creating.

There's only so much De Zerbi can do when the players just aren't putting the ball in the back of the net often enough. It seems the club recognise that, because all the reports I've read suggest they are still behind De Zerbi. To be honest, they have to be.

Can Tottenham afford to sack Roberto De Zerbi?

© Iconsport / Mark Pain/Alamy

They gave him a five-year contract. If they sack him now, the payout would be maybe the highest we've ever seen in the Premier League.

They backed him so heavily in the transfer market, nothing like we've seen from Tottenham before. Maybe the only exception would be the 2013 window with the Bale money, although that was a disaster of a window as well.

If things keep going the way they are, it could be a Bale 2013 window 2.0 again for Tottenham. But they spent £330m on players he seemingly wanted to bring to the club.

There's no way Spurs can really think about it unless things get absolutely toxic. If they draw here, then things will get more toxic. If they somehow lose, I can't imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full time.

Tottenham committed to a long-term project with De Zerbi, and maybe they have to take a leaf out of Arsenal's book. Several years ago, Arsenal and relegation were being used unironically in the same sentence.

Arsenal stuck with [Mikel] Arteta, saw the vision, and look where it's got them now. I know De Zerbi is not Arteta, but even if Tottenham suffer a horrendous loss this weekend, his job is seemingly still safe for a little while longer.

How much longer if the wins just don't come is another question. Spurs can just take it one game at a time, and if I'm tempting fate, I think this is the one where they finally get that first win on the board.

The first Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City since March 2001 takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday evening.

The Lilywhites remain winless after six top-flight outings this term, but the Sky Blues are 90 minutes away from an unexpected third consecutive triumph in the division.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM vs. COVENTRY

TOTTENHAM

Out: Pedro Porro (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Mykhaylo Mudryk (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee), Xavi Simons (knee), Savio (muscle), Lucas Bergvall (knee)

Doubtful: Dejan Kulusevski (knee)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Maddison, Marmoush; Solanke

COVENTRY

Out: Rushworth; Mfuni, Thomas, Pinnock; Van Ewijk, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Dasilva; Thomas-Asante, Rudoni; Cherif

Doubtful: None

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that Lucas Bergvall and Savio will miss Monday's Premier League clash with Coventry City due to injury.

The Lilywhites will go in search of their first top-flight win of the season at the seventh attempt on October 19, when they host a Sky Blues side seeking a third straight victory in the competition.

Spurs were already known to be missing Mykhaylo Mudryk, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert for the visit of Frank Lampard's side, as well as the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur following his red card in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

However, in an unforeseen double whammy, De Zerbi told the media in his Sunday morning press conference that Bergvall and Savio would both be out for weeks after picking up fresh injuries.

"Savio (is unavailable). Unfortunately, on Tuesday at the training centre he felt a muscular problem. He’ll be out for some weeks," De Zerbi said on the Brazilian, before delving into more detail with Bergvall.

Tottenham's Savio, Lucas Bergvall out for "weeks" with new injuries

© Iconsport / PA Images

"And Lucas Bergvall because he had a problem at the beginning of the game in Manchester in the first chance for Solanke. His knee, he felt pain, he finished the game but the day after he came to the medical staff - I think two weeks (he’ll be out)."

Savio has completed the full 90 minutes in each of Tottenham's last three Premier League matches, although he is still waiting for his first top-flight goal involvement for the Lilywhites since his summer move from Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Bergvall made his second Premier League start of the season at Old Trafford last weekend, completing 66 minutes before being replaced by Bentancur.

De Zerbi also confirmed that right-back Pedro Porro would not return from a muscular problem in time for the visit of Coventry, although the World Cup winner could be fit to face Chelsea next weekend.

In brighter news, Dejan Kulusevski will be on the substitutes' bench on Monday after making a full recovery from a knee injury, marking his first appearance in a Tottenham matchday squad since May 2025.

How can Tottenham replace Savio, Lucas Bergvall?

© Imago / APL

As Kulusevski has not played a competitive match for over 500 days, there is no chance that the Sweden international will be considered to replace the stricken Savio in the Tottenham attack.

Instead, one of Omar Marmoush or Mathys Tel should start on the left wing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, likely alongside Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus and the recalled James Maddison in a four-pronged attack.

Meanwhile, Bergvall's absence opens the door for Conor Gallagher to keep his place in the team if Maddison is indeed re-introduced, the ex-Chelsea man joining Sandro Tonali in the double pivot.

Alternatively, De Zerbi could bring £85m summer signing Mateus Fernandes back into the starting lineup in a deeper role, thus forcing Gallagher and Maddison to fight for one spot in the starting XI.

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker James Maddison could be in line for his first Premier League start of the season when the Lilywhites host Coventry City on Monday evening.

The England international has been restricted to just four substitute cameos in the 2026-27 top-flight campaign, coming off the bench in each of Spurs' last three matches against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Everton.

Roberto De Zerbi's midfield three at Old Trafford - Conor Gallagher, Sandro Tonali and Lucas Bergvall - all earned their keep in that 1-1 draw with Man Utd, but wastefulness remains a major problem for the Italian.

Spurs under-performing their Expected Goals by 3.9 hints at both poor finishing and poor chance creation quality, and Maddison could rectify the latter if he is restored over Gallagher in the number 10 slot.

The 29-year-old would join the spritely Savio, Mohammed Kudus and Dominic Solanke in an otherwise unchanged attack; Dejan Kulusevski is on the verge of a long-awaited comeback but will not be ready for starts so soon.

Rodrigo Bentancur's sending-off at Old Trafford and three-game ban means nothing for De Zerbi's first XI, as Tonali and Bergvall are poised to pair up again after industrious displays in the double pivot.

Pedro Porro is on the verge of a return from a muscle injury, but there are no guarantees over the Spaniard's fitness, so Archie Gray should continue as an auxiliary right-back for now.

However, De Zerbi should still consider one defensive alteration, bringing the indispensable Micky van de Ven back in at Marcos Senesi's expense.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Tonali; Kudus, Maddison, Savio; Solanke

Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur coach Roberto De Zerbi will be out for a sense of seventh heaven when the Lilywhites welcome Coventry City to North London in Monday's Premier League offering.

Spurs remain winless after six matches in the 2026-27 top flight, whereas Frank Lampard's Sky Blues are searching for an unforeseen third straight Premier League success.

Match preview

However, the travelling Lilywhites faithful left Old Trafford last weekend knowing that their side had gained one point rather than lost two against Manchester United, as Dominic Solanke heroically snatched a 1-1 draw right at the death after Rodrigo Bentancur's mindless red card.

While De Zerbi's men may once again be languishing in 20th place in the Premier League table - below Bournemouth on goals scored - the trends are slowly but surely heading in the right direction.

From a glass-half-full perspective, Tottenham have only lost one of their last four Premier League matches, while netting four goals in their last three games after failing to find the net once in their previous three against Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

Profligacy remains a major pain point for the hosts, though, as Tottenham have under-performed their Expected Goals total by 3.9 in the 2026-27 Premier League; only Sunderland (-4.3) and Forest (-5.1) were more wasteful in the first six gameweeks.

Tottenham's entire-season total of three Premier League goals was bettered by upcoming foes Coventry in 90 minutes against Newcastle, who after being torn to shreds by Leeds United experienced another horror away day at the CBS Arena in the last Monday Night Football showdown.

Jack Rudoni, Sidiki Cherif, Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni all contributed to a sensational 4-1 Sky Blues triumph - their second on the spin after edging out Nottingham Forest 1-0 before the international break for their first Premier League success in a quarter of the century.

One of only three Premier League teams to prevail in both gameweek five and six - alongside Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion - Frank Lampard's charges surged into 14th spot last Monday and start the next round three points clear of the dreaded dotted line.

Not since February 1998 have the visitors earned three Premier League wins on the spin - they triumphed in five on the bounce back then - but Tottenham coincidentally boast an identical victorious sequence in the head-to-head charts.

Indeed, Spurs have beaten Coventry in their last five meetings between 2001 and 2024, most recently eking out a 2-1 EFL Cup success two years ago thanks to last-gasp Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence strikes.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Coventry City Premier League form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / IMAGO / Sportimage

Spurs boss De Zerbi will not speak to the media on Sunday, so as of now, home supporters are in the dark about whether Pedro Porro (thigh) or Dejan Kulusevski (knee) will be available for the visit of Coventry.

Mykhaylo Mudryk (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Xavi Simons (knee) are guaranteed absentees, as is Bentancur, whose headbutt on Luke Shaw and deserved sending-off has earned him a three-game suspension.

The Uruguayan was snubbed from the starting XI against Man Utd anyway, but De Zerbi should still be minded to make a midfield change, handing James Maddison his first league start of the season at the expense of Conor Gallagher.

On Coventry's end, Taiwo Awoniyi has completed a three-game ban of his own and is back in Lampard's ranks, but the striker is fighting an uphill battle to force his way in over either Cherif or Simms following the pair's goals against Newcastle.

Awoniyi's comeback is one of two Sky Blues boosts, as Kaine Kesler-Hayden has recovered from a hamstring problem, but Luke Woolfenden (knee), Aurele Amenda (calf), Josh Eccles (ankle) and Haji Wright (quad) are still unavailable.

A 4-2-3-1 setup paid dividends and then some for Lampard last time out, but it would not be a shock to see the Chelsea legend revert to a three-man central defence, re-introducing Mfuni over Ephron Mason-Clark.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Tonali; Kudus, Maddison, Savio; Solanke

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Mfuni, Thomas, Pinnock; Van Ewijk, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Dasilva; Thomas-Asante, Rudoni; Cherif

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Coventry City

Tottenham's wastefulness remains evident, even if De Zerbi's side are now finally making nets bulge, but the potential re-introduction of Maddison will work wonders in terms of the hosts' quality of chance creation.

Confidence is not in short supply in the Coventry camp, but we have faith in a near full-strength Spurs defence to shut out the Sky Blues as Tottenham belatedly win a Premier League game again.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro has revealed he is close to a return from injury.

Last month, the Spurs full-back missed two games against Everton and Liverpool in the Premier League and EFL Cup respectively.

Porro then returned to action in a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa, but he was forced off inside 20 minutes due to a hamstring issue.

As a result, he missed Spain's first four Nations League fixtures and Tottenham's 1-1 draw against Manchester United last weekend.

© Imago / Dave Shopland

Porro delivers encouraging injury update

The Spain international has now delivered a positive update on his recovery process via a social media post.

Porro posted a clip on Instagram of him leaping onto a plyometric box from a seated position, along with the caption, "almost back".

The exercise seemed to show that Porro's hamstrings are in good condition ahead of Tottenham's home meeting with newly-promoted Coventry City.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi will provide an update on Porro's injury status when he speaks in his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

Who are De Zerbi's other injury concerns?

De Zerbi will be keen to welcome back his first-choice right-back, although he will also want to exercise caution in an effort to avoid any setbacks.

In regard to other injury concerns, the Tottenham boss is unable to call upon Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons and Dejan Kulusevski due to knee injuries.

Winger Mykhailo Mudryk remains sidelined with an ankle injury that has kept him out of the last four competitive matches.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur will start a three-match ban following his dismissal at Old Trafford last weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur will continue their Premier League campaign with a clash against Coventry City on Monday night.

Spurs are 19th in the Premier League table, picking up only three points from six matches, while Coventry are 14th in the division on six points.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their meeting with Coventry, who have been victorious in their last two matches.

Mykhaylo Mudryk

© Iconsport / PA Images

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: November 7 (vs. Leeds United)

An ankle injury sustained in training is still sidelining Mudryk, with the attacker not expected to be back on the field until the early stages of November.

Xavi Simons

© Iconsport / SUSA

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Simons suffered a severe knee injury back in April, and the Netherlands international will not be available for selection until the early stages of 2027.

Dejan Kulusevski

© Iconsport / BILDBYRÅN

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Kulusevski is close to returning from a long-term knee injury, which has sidelined him since May 2025, but the Sweden international will not be involved in the clash with Coventry.

Wilson Odobert

© Imago / News Images

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Odobert is another Tottenham player sidelined due to a serious knee injury, but the attacker is expected to be back on the pitch before the end of 2026.

Pedro Porro

© Iconsport / Harvey Murphy/News Images

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: October 19 (vs. Coventry City)

Porro has recently been sidelined due to a hamstring issue, but the Spain international could make his return to the squad against Coventry.

TOTTENHAM SUSPENSION LIST

Rodrigo Bentancur

© Imago / News Images

Status: Out

Possible return date: November 7 (vs. Leeds United)

Bentancur is suspended for Tottenham's next three Premier League matches following his red card in the team's 1-1 draw with Manchester United last time out.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a major January move for Atletico Madrid attacker Alex Baena as they prepare for an extended spell without Xavi Simons.

Spurs are weighing up an offer worth around £70m for the Spain international, whose impressive start to the season has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs.

With Simons not expected to return until February, Roberto De Zerbi could be forced to strengthen his attacking options when the transfer window reopens.

Spurs to ramp up Alex Baena interest in the January transfer window

© Imago / PGS Photo Agency

Tottenham are 'ready' to launch an €80m (£70m) move for Baena, according to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness).

The 25-year-old has registered four goals and three assists in ten appearances this season, with his performances reportedly convincing Spurs that he could be worth a significant investment.

Baena joined Atletico from Villarreal for around £36.5m, but initially struggled to establish himself as a regular influence in the Spanish capital.

His fortunes improved following the 2026 World Cup, when Nico Williams' injury created an opportunity for him to feature more prominently for Spain. Baena took advantage and has carried that form into the new campaign.

Manchester City also been linked with the attacker, although Atletico are reportedly reluctant to sell during the January window.

What is the latest on Xavi Simons' injury?

© Iconsport / PA Images

Simons is reportedly facing a lengthy wait before returning to competitive action after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury in April during a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Netherlands international required surgery and subsequently missed the summer World Cup.

A recent social media post featuring a pair of football boots prompted speculation that his comeback could be approaching, but Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen quickly played down those hopes, claiming: "He won't really return until February. That's going to take a while."

That forecast would leave the north Londoners without one of their most creative attacking players during a demanding period of the season.

Baena could therefore provide an appealing alternative for De Zerbi and Spurs, particularly given his ability to contribute goals and assists from attacking midfield areas.

His current form suggests he could make an immediate impact, although replacing Simons' creativity would be no easy task.

If Tottenham are serious about challenging at the other end of the table, investing in another high-quality attacker could prove important, even if convincing Atletico to sell remains the biggest obstacle.

Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot has landed a new role in football, exactly four months after his ruthless sacking by the English club.

The Dutch manager was dismissed at the end of the 2025-26 season, having finished only fifth in the Premier League. Long linked with a job in charge of the Netherlands national team or as head coach of Tottenham, he has remained out of work until now.

Arne Slot’s new role at UEFA

© Iconsport / PA Images

The former Liverpool and Feyenoord manager has been officially appointed to UEFA’s prestigious technical observer group for the 2026-27 season.

His job will be to follow matches in detail and analyse them from a coach’s perspective. UEFA’s representatives are also responsible for choosing the player of the match for each Champions League matchday. The group also consults and assesses performances when selecting the team of the season and the goal of the season.

‘During each match, our designated technical observer works closely with the performance analysis team to gather the necessary video and data. Our experts receive footage from many different angles. All the content gathered is stored in an educational database.

The data includes everything from the number of passes and shots to figures on distance covered and line-breaking’ - the official statement reads.

Slot in good company among the panel of experts

© Imago / One Inch Productions

Slot is not the only well-known name in the role, however. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and Rafael Benitez have also been given the position. Norwegian icon and former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained his role last year.

‘My role is to travel a lot to the matches themselves and closely analyse the technical quality and the overall tactical approach. Alongside that, I am also in charge of choosing the player of the match. For me, it is a really great way of watching the top teams closely and keeping up with trends’ - Solskjaer said.

The Champions League returns this week, and the organisation has revealed the list of its 36 technical observers. In this star-studded group, as well as Slot, Ten Hag, Benitez and Solskjaer, there are other big names from the dugout and the pitch alike.

The role will be filled by Roberto Martinez, Thomas Frank, Rudi Garcia, Gaizka Mendieta, Kasper Hjulmand, Ernesto Valverde, Frank de Boer, Rui Faria, Sean Dyche, Aitor Karanka, Avram Grant and Roy Hodgson.

Gareth Southgate, Ange Postecoglou, Justin Cochrane, David Adams, Ian Woan, Mixu Paatelainen, Michael O’Neill, Kieran McKenna, Claude Makelele, Zlatko Zahovic, Steve Cooper, Willi Ruttensteiner, Dusan Fitzel, Darren Fletcher, David James, Frans Hoek, Zlatko Dalic, Fatih Terim, Ryan Giggs and Ralph Hasenhuttl complete the panel of experts.