“From Zero to Hero” — Tottenham fans say the 23-year-old has convincingly proven his worth after what he did against Wolves… He should be starting every match henceforth

Tottenham Hotspur secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, with a late strike from João Palhinha proving decisive.

Introduced in the second half, Palhinha reacted quickest to a mishit effort from Richarlison, converting from close range to hand Roberto De Zerbi his first win as Spurs head coach. The result also marked Tottenham’s first Premier League triumph of 2026.

Despite the scoreline, Wolves made life difficult throughout. Deep into stoppage time, Antonín Kinský produced a stunning save to deny João Gomes from a free-kick, preserving all three points and sealing an important clean sheet. De Zerbi was quick to praise his goalkeeper’s decisive contribution at the final whistle.

Kinský reacts after crucial win

Speaking to BBC Sport, Kinský expressed the squad’s relief and satisfaction after a hard-fought contest. He noted that while Spurs were eager to extend their lead, maintaining a clean sheet remained the top priority.

“We are very happy because this is exactly what we needed,” he said.
“It was a tough game, Wolves defended well, but we found a way through.
We wanted a second goal, but keeping the clean sheet was most important, and that gave us the win. It’s a great feeling for everyone, including the fans.”

A turnaround in fortunes

The clean sheet represents a significant moment for Kinský, who endured a difficult spell following a disastrous UEFA Champions League debut against Atlético Madrid last month. Two costly errors saw him substituted just 17 minutes into that match by Igor Tudor, raising doubts about his role for the remainder of the season.

However, an injury to Guglielmo Vicario—who underwent hernia surgery during the March international break—opened the door for the young Czech goalkeeper. Since stepping in, Kinský has impressed with composed performances, rebuilding his confidence and earning De Zerbi’s trust.

His late heroics against Wolves could prove a turning point, not only lifting team morale but also strengthening his case to remain first choice. With Vicario nearing a return, De Zerbi faces a difficult decision, but Kinský’s current form and growing confidence make a strong argument for him to retain his place in goal.