Tottenham vs Coventry City

Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was supposed to be straightforward. Spurs at home against a newly promoted Coventry side who were supposed to be delighted just to be in the Premier League. James Maddison scored after 14 minutes. Roberto De Zerbi's side were in control. Then Coventry equalised through Rudoni at 50'. The Spurs crowd stirred with the particular anxiety that only Spurs supporters know.

Omar Marmoush ended the anxiety at 58'. The Egyptian international — signed in the summer to add movement and goals to De Zerbi's system — restored Spurs' lead eight minutes after Coventry had levelled. His finish was composed, his movement intelligent. The player the Couch flagged in the preview as one to watch delivered. Ben Davies completed the scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time, adding a third that reflected the final balance of the match.

Coventry's Rudoni equaliser deserves mention. Lampard's side — learning the top flight, still fighting for every point — went into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and scored. They made Spurs sweat for 30 minutes. They leave with nothing, but with the knowledge that they can hurt Premier League sides. That is not irrelevant when you are fighting for survival.

Three-one. Their first win of this season. Finally. Out of the relegation zone — for now — with six points from seven games. There is hope for Spurs. Maddison looks like the player he was always supposed to be. Marmoush is beginning to prove his worth. Things are improving for Tottenham. Slowly. But improving.