
The grin did not leave Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison’s face for the entirety of his 28th birthday.
Not when intelligent movement led to him scoring goals one and two of a 4-0 battering of Manchester City. Not when he was smashed and clattered to the sodden Etihad turf ground by Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan. Not when he was withdrawn several minutes shy of the end, surrendering the captain’s armband he had been passed a short while earlier, and receiving a warm reception from Ange Postecoglou.