James Maddison returns to form for Tottenham with a helping hand from Man City’s least-favourite opponents
James Maddison staked his claim for a starting spot Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield with two goals in his side’s 4-0 win over Manchester City.
The Englishman had started the season well for Tottenham, two assists in his first two Premier League games. It was a slightly deeper role for Maddison, but that didn’t hamper his creativity.
But Maddison’s bright start eventually faded away, and he eventually fell out of the starting XI. In the last two games before the international break, Maddison was given just 14 minutes.
Six of those minutes came against Ipswich Town, when Tottenham were trailing. It was a tough time for Maddison, and there was speculation surrounding his future as you’d expect with no club football for two weeks.
“Clearly, with the talent James has, I’d expect him to start all the games, and I’d expect him to finish more games than he is,” Ally McCoist told talkSPORT recently.
“So it’s a problem for James that he isn’t getting anything like the game time he should be. I don’t know whether the manager has a problem with him or doesn’t think he can last the 90 minutes.
“But it’d suggest that all is not well, or at least not 100 per cent well.”
Pape Matar Sarr was preferred in the Tottenham midfield to Maddison, joining Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski. But Bentancur ban has forced Ange Postecoglou into a reshuffle, and Maddison was a beneficiary.
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At the Etihad on Saturday, Postecoglou opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Maddison as the No.10. Closer to goal, Maddison’s role wasn’t as much to be the creator, but to help flood the box alongside Dominic Solanke. And he performed that role perfectly.
It was a game of twos for Maddison, who had two shots, two shots on target, two touches in the opposition box, two big chances, completed two take-ons. And scored two goals.
Maddison’s first goal came with Tottenham under the cosh in the early stages. The move started with a ball out to the wing to Dejan Kulusevski, who took it on under pressure. Kulusevski’s cross into the box was delightful, as was Maddison’s late run at the far post to tap in.
Kulusevski loves to play against Man City, being directly involved in eight goals in eight games in this fixture. Six of those goal involvements have come at the Etihad too, with Kulusevski scoring three and providing two assists. Don’t be surprised if you see his face on a banned list after Saturday.
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The Swede’s record at the Etihad is matched by Son, who got his sixth goal involvement at the Etihad in setting up Maddison’s second goal.
Most Premier League goal involvements by an opposition player vs. Man City at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola:
◉ 6 – Dejan Kulusevski
◉ 6 – Son Heung-minWOW! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GuuJuCZFRS
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 23, 2024
Maddison was more involved in this goal, picking up the ball on the edge of the box after a misplaced pass. The Englishman played the ball into Son, who completed the one-two into the box, where Maddison deftly lifted the ball over Ederson. Son’s record at the Etihad in the league reads two goals and four assists.
Only Mohamed Salah (11) has been directly involved in more goals against Guardiola’s Man City than Son’s overall 10 in the Premier League.
Postecoglou’s formation change had worked perfectly, and Maddison wasn’t going to let this chance go. He’s now scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Tottenham, more than he managed in his first 32 for the club combined.
“He was outstanding,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports of Maddison.
“You have to be against City, and Madders was great. He’s gone through a lean spell but I never doubted his ability. I thought the kind of game we were expecting would suit him.
“I thought we’d need his ability to keep the ball in tight midfield areas. I take it personally on myself if players aren’t reaching their level, that’s on me to get him back up there.”
