James Maddison delivered a pointed response to his critics, particularly Roy Keane, with a match-winning performance in Tottenham's victory over Manchester United on Sunday, celebrating his goal with both talking and shushing gestures.
The 28-year-old midfielder seized the opportunity when United goalkeeper Andre Onana could only parry Lucas Bergvall's shot, tapping in what would prove to be the game's decisive goal. His celebration appeared to be a direct response to recent criticism, most notably from former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane.
Earlier in the week, Keane had made controversial comments on The Overlap podcast, suggesting that Maddison "got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs." While Keane acknowledged Maddison's talent, he dismissed those who believed the midfielder's return would help Spurs break into the top six as being "in cuckoo land."
Following the match, Maddison addressed the criticism without specifically naming anyone. "There was a little bit of outside noise this week," he told Sky Sports. "People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there is a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today."
The goal marked Maddison's return to form after being sidelined with a calf injury since January 23, when he last played against Hoffenheim in the Europa League. It was his first Premier League goal since December and his tenth across all competitions this season.
Maddison's impact on Tottenham's performance has been significant this season, with the midfielder directly contributing to 13 goals in 23 league games, including nine goals and four assists. His absence has been felt keenly by the team, who lost three of their five games while he was injured in 2025.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praised Maddison's return and performance, saying it "doesn't surprise him" that the player responded to his critics, noting that he "threw a shot back over the bow." The manager added, "It's just great to have him back. He is a quality player. If you just look at his goals return from midfield this year, it's still right up there."
The victory comes as a welcome boost for Tottenham, who have been struggling in 12th place in the Premier League table. The team's poor run has been largely attributed to numerous first-team injuries, making the return of key players like Maddison and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario particularly significant. The match also saw long-term absentees Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie, and Wilson Odobert fit enough to make the bench, suggesting a potential turning point in Spurs' season.
