The 23yo was one of the star performers in Tottenham Hotspur’s narrow win over Wolves.
Tottenham Hotspur secured valuable three points over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, with Joao Palhinha netting a late winner at Molineux Stadium.
Spurs looked set for an exasperating afternoon at Molineux after Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were forced off due to injury, until Roberto De Zerbi watched Palhinha slide in at the back post from a scuffed Richarlison shot to secure a first Premier League win of 2026. Three points stopped De Zerbi’s men from slipping into despair, although West Ham’s late winner against Everton at the London Stadium kept Spurs in the bottom three.
The taste of the first league win after December 2025 was sweet, and it did not matter how they arrived for Tottenham. And one of the heroes of Tottenham’s success in the Midlands was Antonin Kinsky.
Roberto De Zerbi praises Antonin Kinsky following Tottenham’s win at Wolves
It’s not been an easy campaign for Antonin Kinsky. The 23-year-old endured an embarrassing Champions League debut when he was hooked off in the 16th minute for two howlers against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the last-16 tie in Madrid (March 2026). At that point, it felt that the Czech Republic goalkeeper would not feature again for Tottenham this season.
However, Vicario’s groin surgery during the Match international break opened the door for Antonin Kinsky to return in goal, and he has done well across three games under De Zerbi. He came up with a massive last-gasp flying save from Joao Gomes’ free-kick to deny the hosts an equaliser and help Spurs collect three points at Molineux.
De Zerbi praised Kinsky after the game, insisting that he played a crucial role in the visitors’ victory over Rob Edwards’ side.
“I am very happy and proud of him. He suffered a lot after the game in the Champions League (when Kinsky was subbed after just 17 minutes after going 3-0 down in the Round of 16 tie at Atletico Madrid). He was crucial for these three points,” De Zerbi said in an interview with BBC Sport.
Kinsky deserves to keep his place in goal vs. Aston Villa
Kinsky has been solid in the three games he has played under De Zerbi so far. In reality, he has looked more assured with his decision-making and distribution skills than Vicario. Against Wolves, he kept things simple, commanded the box well and came out flying to punch away a ball chased by Stuart Armstrong. And the man from the Czech Republic topped it all with a flying stoppage-time save to deny Gomes’ free kick nestling into the net.
Vicario is expected to start training from Monday as he bids to get back to full fitness after undergoing hernia surgery. But going by Kinsky’s assured performances in the past three games, De Zerbi will not risk handing Vicario his spot back in goal when Tottenham travel to Aston Villa next weekend.
All in all, Kinsky deserves to keep his place in the first XI, having shown great courage and maturity to bounce back from the horror night in Madrid in March.