De Zerbi credits players’ meeting and Marbella trip after Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Coventry

Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham showed greater togetherness after beating Coventry 3-1 at home on Monday night in the Premier League, crediting a players’ meeting and a bonding trip for the change. He pointed to a clear-the-air discussion held before the Manchester United game and a warm-weather training trip to Marbella as factors in the squad’s improved unity.

Spurs had drawn 1-1 with 10 men against Manchester United prior to the Coventry match. De Zerbi said the performance against Coventry could have been better but he was pleased with the players’ attitude. James Maddison made his first start in 536 days and Dejan Kulusevski came off the bench to make his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in the same month.

Tottenham took the lead when James Maddison marked his first start in 536 days with a brilliant goal. Coventry equalised through Jack Rudoni, Omar Marmoush responded with his first goal since leaving Manchester City, and Ben Davies sealed the 3-1 victory.

“It’s important,” the Spurs manager said. “The result is important but most important, two things. First one, we are able to realise we can win a game like other teams in the Premier League. The second thing, if we put [in] something from ourselves like we have done in the last two weeks. The day before Old Trafford we had a big meeting and spoke about the situation. We can’t accept and can’t move on if we don’t accept responsibility.”

De Zerbi described the Marbella trip and the squad’s bonding in the dressing room: “This week has been important because we spend time together and want to be like a family,” he said. “During the game if you have a problem and there is a tough situation you have to play for your friend and your brother, not like 11 robot players on the pitch.” He added: “They are different players,” De Zerbi said. “Different talent, different experience, different personality. With them in the dressing room there is another atmosphere.”

Coventry manager Frank Lampard praised his side’s fight but said he was surprised Marmoush’s goal was allowed to stand. “I did think that,” Coventry’s manager said. “If you roll and your elbow is that high and it connects with Milan, I thought VAR would cancel it.” He also commented: “It was a really big display,” he said. “3-1 changes the view at the end of the game. At 2-1 we were pushing.”

The victory moved Tottenham up to 16th in the table and out of the bottom three.