James Maddison takes on responsibility for Tottenham ahead of Manchester United clash | OneFootball

After returning in January after three months out with an ankle injury, Maddison has struggled to reach the levels of last autumn, when he had been such an integral part of Ange Postecoglou’s early momentum. Maddison’s performance in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brentford was a long time coming, and his all-round game was a nod to this time last year, when he could do no wrong as the poster boy of his new club following a move from Leicester. Maddison embodied that vitality, anticipating the pass and nicking the ball from Brentford at the decisive moment for the first two Spurs goals.

James Maddison’s jovial manner as he celebrated in front of the Tottenham fans at full-time on Saturday said it all. He, and they, knew this was perhaps his finest performance yet in a Spurs shirt.

Eight goal contributions in 11 games before the injury dwarfed his output after he returned, when he only managed five in 17 matches. His lessening impact ultimately cost him a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Maddison’s performance in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brentford was a long time coming, and his all-round game was a nod to this time last year, when he could do no wrong as the poster boy of his new club following a move from Leicester.

Maddison scored his first goal of the season late on to wrap up the three points against Brentford

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Postecoglou claimed on Saturday that his team is among the best in Europe at pressing and off-the-ball intensity. Maddison embodied that vitality, anticipating the pass and nicking the ball from Brentford at the decisive moment for the first two Spurs goals.

Dominic Solanke, for his first Tottenham goal, and Brennan Johnson cashed in. Maddison then scored his first of the season late on to wrap up the three points.

Postecoglou wanted to hone in on the team performance rather than individuals, saying “the midfielders played a key role”, but Maddison had been the pick of the bunch, angling smart passes like the dipping through ball that almost put Heung-min Son in, and the deft pass which allowed Dejan Kulusevski a second-half shot on goal.

Maddison looked effortless at times last autumn as he knitted Spurs’ play together and assumed the responsibility of being their primary creative force. Here he was fulfilling that same role to devastating effect, always one step ahead of Brentford.

Postecoglou hailed Solanke’s first goal in a Tottenham shirt as a “great moment” - no doubt it will be the first of many - and wore a bright grin as Johnson tore down the right and struck fiercely past Mark Flekken to put Spurs ahead.

Tottenham were “relentless the whole game” according to their manager, who will have been encouraged by the attacking chemistry between Solanke, Son, Johnson, Kulusevski and Maddison ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United. They were as in sync on the ball as they were tireless off it.

There remains plenty of work still to do, though. Brentford led after just 22 seconds through Bryan Mbeumo, had chances at 2-1 down, and an entirely nerve-free Premier League victory still eludes Spurs. But they hope to have turned a corner after easing the pressure - at least for now.