James Maddison silenced his critics by letting his performance speak for itself, scoring the decisive goal in Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday. The midfielder was quick to react after United goalkeeper Andre Onana parried Lucas Bergvall’s shot, allowing him to tap in the match-winner. Maddison marked the moment with a combination of talking and shushing gestures, a clear message to those who had doubted him.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Maddison refrained from naming specific critics but acknowledged the scrutiny he faced. “There was a little bit of outside noise this week. People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there are a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today.” One of his critics was former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, who recently claimed on The Overlap podcast that Maddison “got relegated with Leicester and he’ll get relegated with Spurs.” While Keane acknowledged Maddison’s talent, he dismissed the idea that his return would push Spurs into the top six, calling such hopes “cuckoo land.”
Maddison, who had been sidelined with a calf injury since January 23, made a triumphant return with his first Premier League goal since December, bringing his season tally to 10 across all competitions. Amid his celebratory gestures, Maddison also performed his signature darts throw celebration. When asked about handling criticism, he admitted, “You do see it, and it is there. Especially when it comes from a big-profile name. Nobody is more critical of me than myself. The gaffer always talks about blocking out the noise, but sometimes it’s difficult. Social media and WhatsApp make it constantly in your face.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was unsurprised by Maddison’s response, stating that the midfielder “threw a shot back over the bow.” Spurs had struggled in his absence, losing three of their five matches in 2025 while he was sidelined. “It’s just great to have him back. He is a quality player. If you look at his goals return from midfield this year, it’s still right up there,” Postecoglou remarked. Maddison has now scored four goals in his last four Premier League starts and is Tottenham’s top scorer in the league this season. His direct involvement in 13 goals (nine goals, four assists) across 23 league games highlights his importance to the team.
Postecoglou revealed that Maddison’s return came earlier than expected. “He got frustrated when he got injured, and honestly, we didn’t think he’d be back for a couple more weeks. But he’s worked incredibly hard in training to make sure he was available.”
Despite their recent struggles, Tottenham’s injury crisis is beginning to ease. In addition to Maddison, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made his first appearance since breaking his ankle in November and delivered an impressive performance. Long-term absentees Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie, and Wilson Odobert were also fit enough to make the bench, offering a boost to Spurs as they look to climb from 12th place in the Premier League table. With key players returning, Tottenham will hope to turn their season around and push for a stronger finish in the league.
