AN EMOTIONAL James Maddison has opened up on his “dark days” following his spectacular return to Tottenham’s starting XI.
The midfielder was picked to start by manager for the over .
, 29, showed what the team had been missing as he scored a fantastic opening goal.
He curled in a shot from outside the box which left Coventry stopper with little chance of saving it.
The goal was an important one for the former star who has been dealing with injury troubles over the last year.
Speaking after the game, Maddison revealed that he had endured some “dark days” during his recovery.
to action following 526 DAYS on the sidelines.
Maddison told Sky Sports: “They are the ones you dream of.
“Those dark days recovering from the ACL you dream of those moments and those goals. That is always the light at the end of the tunnel.
“That is why I felt really emotional and proud of today because I knew exactly that feeling he had stepping back onto the pitch after that amount of time out.
“Those moments and those goals they make it all worth it.”
The victory for the out of relegation zone and up to 16th in the Prem table.
De Zerbi told Maddison to enjoy his time on the pitch ahead of the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Maddison added: “I hoped [I could make this type of impact].
“I spoke to the gaffer about this week and feeling like the right moment for me to go back into the starting XI after a stop-start start to the season.
“I just wanted to play well and to show my qualities and what the team has missed in the last 18 months since my last start.
“The gaffer asked me to play and wanted to enjoy watching me from the side, so hopefully I did that. A goal like that is always nice.”
Spurs were pegged back by the visitors after the break as Jack Rudoni scored.
However, striker and defender both found the target to seal a big three points.
