James Maddison appeared to take a swipe at Roy Keane’s recent criticism as he scored the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester United during his return from injury. The England international’s performance silenced the “outside noise” about his abilities.
Keane had made headlines this week on the Overlap podcast, questioning the impact of Maddison’s return on the struggling Tottenham side. “People say Maddison’s the man. When is he going to step up to the plate?” Keane remarked, expressing skepticism about Maddison’s ability to help Spurs avoid relegation.
However, Maddison’s return, alongside goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, inspired Tottenham to their first home victory in the Premier League since early November, further compounding Manchester United’s troubles. After scoring in the 11th minute, Maddison celebrated his goal with his signature darts gesture while also making a shushing motion with his finger to his lips, directed at his critics.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Maddison acknowledged the “outside noise” surrounding him this week, stating, “I wanted to do my talking on the pitch today.” He expressed satisfaction with being the match winner, adding, “Nobody is more critical of me than myself.”
Despite the victory only elevating Tottenham to 12th in the standings, Maddison highlighted the easing of the team’s injury woes and his desire to support those who have had to endure a difficult run of results.
“It hasn’t been the season we wanted,” Maddison stated. “The boys who have been fit all season have shown incredible resilience. It’s nice to come back from injury and help relieve some pressure. Now it’s about leading and staying present as a team.”
Credit: Independent
