Ange Postecoglou silenced his critics in style during Sunday’s thriller against Southampton, as Tottenham Hotspur ran riot with five first-half goals at St Mary’s. The dominant display marked a return to winning ways for Spurs in the Premier League, with Joe Cole heaping praise on one standout player from the performance.
Tottenham boss speaks out on James Maddison's exclusion from England squad.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday, with Joe Cole singling out one player for special praise.
Deployed as the central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system, Maddison put on a masterclass. The 28-year-old England international struck twice — opening the scoring in the first minute and adding another in first-half stoppage time. Criticism of his limited game time this season was firmly silenced with this stunning display.
Joe Cole hails James Maddison as the game changer
James Maddison has faced a challenging season at Tottenham, but he really proved his worth against Southampton. Alongside Son Heung-min, Maddison showcased his true quality, playing a major role in Spurs’ dominant display on Sunday.
According to stats from WhoScored, the playmaker was sharp and efficient, taking three shots, two of which found the back of the net. He also created two key chances and maintained an impressive 85.4% pass accuracy from 62 touches. Maddison’s influence extended beyond scoring, as he completed three dribbles, made a tackle, and whipped in four dangerous crosses.
With five goals and five assists in 21 appearances across all competitions this season, Maddison’s performance against Southampton was a timely reminder of his importance to Postecoglou’s squad.
Cole speaking for TNT Sports 1, had lots of praises for the Englishman
“He was sublime, he was brilliant.
“You know what? Every time I watch Tottenham play well, James Maddison plays well. I think that’s something to note.
“He has come under fire a little bit, you know, his performances have maybe dropped a little bit, maybe he is carrying a knock. But whenever he does it, he makes Tottenham tick.
“And I think that’s one thing Ange should be looking at – ‘How do we make James Maddison happy? How do we make him content and enjoy his football?’ Because everything goes through him on the pitch. He was brilliant today.”
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Tottenham’s next challenge sees them face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. With Maddison in red-hot form, Spurs will be hoping he can maintain his momentum. His diligence and goal threat could give Tottenham a crucial edge in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter.