The midfielder marked his first Premier League start in 18 months with a fine opening goal in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 win on Monday, having spent the period recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He curled a shot into the top corner before kissing the Tottenham badge during his celebration.
The gesture drew criticism from some Coventry City supporters, who had booed Maddison during the match despite his longstanding connection to the club where his career began.
Maddison explained on social media that the celebration had been planned as a tribute to the people who supported him during his rehabilitation. He said: “I had already planned my first goal back. I was kissing the badge of this club who has supported me and my family through the darkest days of my career over the past 18 months.
“I absolutely adore and love Coventry City. All my close friends and family know that. I’m a fan and always will be and I will 100% apologise to anyone who thought the timing was bad as my first goal back just happened to be against my hometown club.
“Good luck to Frank and the boys for the rest of the season. PUSB.”
The 29-year-old’s return to the starting line-up was a personal milestone after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The goal was his first in the Premier League for 610 days and helped Tottenham claim their first league win of the season.
Coventry drew level through Jack Rudoni, but second-half goals from Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies secured the points for Spurs. The result lifted Tottenham out of the relegation zone and into 16th place.