The pressure is firmly on Tottenham Hotspur as they prepare to host Coventry City on Monday night.
Roberto De Zerbi‘s men are one of just three teams still without a Premier League win this season, sitting 19th with just three points on the board from six games so far.
It sounds like a desperate situation, and while it is just that, there are some signs that better results are on the horizon.
The Solanke effect
Dominic Solanke was the last-minute hero in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend, overpowering Lisandro Martinez to glance Sandro Tonali‘s delivery into the back of the net.
It was a priceless point for Spurs given Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off in the 78th minute, just five minutes after Bryan Mbeumo had put the hosts ahead.
It was also a deserved moment for Solanke, who put in a tireless performance having surprisingly been named captain for the match.
The five-time England international gave absolutely everything for the badge at Old Trafford, covering a match-high 12.3km and contesting eight duels, never giving up a lost cause. The manner of his goal was befitting the type of performance he produced.
This was the third straight Premier League game Solanke has started, and in each of them, Spurs have come out of the traps at breakneck speed.
The Lilywhites created a host of chances early on against Man Utd before the home side finally gained control of the match. Against Aston Villa, they were the dominant force in the first half until Johan Manzambi opened the scoring in stoppage time. And against Everton, they asserted themselves right from the start but were simply unable to unwrap the Toffees.
Solanke was a focal point in each match, using his physicality to hold up play and bring others into the game. The fact that he finally opened his Premier League account will come as a huge source of relief, but probably won’t surprise De Zerbi given the trend of his performances. He will surely keep his place against Coventry.
Late show
Tottenham’s goalless run to start the campaign was incredibly alarming, but finally, they’ve started finding the net.
Fans will demand far more in the final third moving forward, and De Zerbi will want his side to score at various points throughout the game. But it should provide optimism that they’re scoring late in games at present.
All three of Tottenham’s goals in the Premier League this season have come beyond the 85th minute, while four of their six EFL Cup goals came after the hour mark.
The demands of De Zerbi’s style are no secret, and Tottenham currently sit second in the Premier League for high turnovers (36) and possessions won in the middle third (129), and fifth for possessions won in the attacking third (29).
Spurs managing to stay in games and score late with abundance recently is a sign that they’re finally adjusting to the physical rigours of the Italian’s system. Solanke stepping up with the 92nd-minute equaliser last time out is all the sweeter given it was the first time he’d completed a match since mid-April.
A point to prove against Coventry
Coventry will provide a unique test on Monday. Frank Lampard‘s men endured a horrific start themselves, but have won their last two games to inspire new optimism.
The Sky Blues have also forged their own habit of hanging in games, with four of the five goals they’ve scored across those wins coming in the second half, and two of them past the 80th minute.
If Tottenham take another step backwards here, it could spell serious trouble for De Zerbi. However, the signs point towards manager and team finally falling into sync, and a home game against a newly promoted side should be viewed as a golden opportunity to get Tottenham’s 2026/27 campaign up and running.