Tottenham midfielder James Maddison assuaged fears of a right ankle injury by informing reporters that he was wearing a protective boot as a “precaution” following the 2-0 win against Manchester United.
Maddison shone in midfield to assist Ange Postecoglou gain his first Premier League victory, with Pape Sarr’s first Spurs goal and an own goal by Lisandro Martinez giving the hosts a strong start to the season.
Summer signing Maddison completed 90 minutes but was spotted leaving Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on crutches and in a protective boot on Saturday night.
England international Maddison did suffer a blow to his right ankle during the second half of the United clash when Antony tackled him inside the area.
It was not enough to prevent him finishing the match, but Maddison tried to play down concerns by revealing to the assembled media the protective boot was for “precaution” and he will now aim to recover in time for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.
While Man United, playing under the cloud of continued talk about Mason Greenwood’s future, will go back to the drawing board ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit next weekend, Spurs fans are back on cloud nine.
It has been a difficult 2023 with a disastrous March extending the club’s trophy drought and record goalscorer Harry Kane leaving to join Bayern Munich earlier this month.
A protest with hundreds of Spurs fans occurred before kick-off, arranged by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, over the club’s decision to increase matchday ticket prices for this season, but there was a lively atmosphere inside the stadium.
Postecoglou credited the home crowd for helping his young, new-look team navigate their way through some nervy opening stages, but they delivered a superb display after with Sarr firing home from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross before Ben Davies’ scuffed effort was diverted past Andre Onana by Martinez.
“The atmosphere was incredible. Our supporters were outstanding. The energy they created in the stadium right from the first whistle was brilliant and it helped us. In the first half we just looked a bit nervous,” Postecoglou said before he reflected on taking everything in post-match.
“But we got them in at half-time and settled them down a little bit. Then I thought the boys were brilliant.
“You want to win and that gives everyone the joy they need but I felt the manner in which we played, it’s a great starting point so when the final whistle goes from my perspective that’s a fantastic fertile ground for me to get going.
“You want to feel that moment because I have always said, to me I love what football does to people, particularly in those moments.
“So, you kind of take a moment to think about the 60,000 here or the ones who were watching at home because they will be smiling for the rest of the week.
“I love that it does that, the game. For me that moment is just about appreciating I am pretty blessed to be doing what I am doing, being in the middle of a stadium leading a fantastic football club and then you start to think about next week, mate.”
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