'One of saves of the season' - Kinsky's redemption moment at Tottenham?

• Published3 hours ago

Two months ago questions were raised as to whether Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky would ever play for the club again.

The Czech Republic international endured a nightmare 17 minutes in their Champions League last-16 match against Atletico Madrid in March which saw him concede three goals before being substituted off by then-manager Igor Tudor.

But after making one of the saves of the season to deny Leeds a late winner on Monday - ensuring Tottenham earned a point towards potential Premier League survival - the 23-year-old may just have gone some way to redeeming himself.

Mathys Tel's 50th-minute strike had put Spurs ahead but the forward conceded a penalty for a high boot on Ethan Ampadu 24 minutes later and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot to level at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Both sides probed for a winner in 13 minutes of added time and Leeds thought they had found it in the 99th minute when James Justin played Sean Longstaff through and the midfielder unleashed a powerful strike at the near post from close range.

Enter Kinsky, who stretched to get fingertips to the ball and ensure it clattered off the crossbar and not into the roof of his net.

It is impossible to say how important that save could be come the end of the season but for now it leaves Spurs two points clear of West Ham in the relegation zone with two games remaining.

"That save is one of the saves of the season," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carrager on Sky Sports.

"Football is an absolute rollercoaster and who would have thought he would ever play for Tottenham again - and then he does that.

"You would have to have a heart of stone if you weren't delighted for him. Everyone thought his career was over but that save can be the moment that keeps Tottenham in the Premier League."

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'Chest out and massive smile' - Kinsky heroics

Not long after that devastating night in Madrid, where Spurs ultimately lost the last-16 first-leg match 5-2, Tottenham were forced to turn to Kinsky again with first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario sidelined to undergo hernia surgery.

He has since started five matches in the league, where Spurs have lost one match, won two and drawn two.

Kinsky has kept one clean sheet across those five matches but the save against Leeds could have ramifications far greater than his own personal redemption story and it was clear he knew that too.

"Kinsky is walking around the pitch with his chest out and with a massive smile on his face, and rightly so," said former West Ham defender Matthew Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Massive game from him. He played really well, made good decisions with the ball and made some fantastic saves."

Carragher compared the save to Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's to deny Sandro Tonali and Newcastle a late equaliser earlier this season.

Had Vicario not been sidelined for this period, Kinsky may never have got his moment for Spurs.

But he has shown great resilience to produce a save that could go down as one of the biggest in Tottenham's history if they are able to retain their Premier League status.

'Testimony to his strength of character' - Analysis

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

When a disconsolate Kinsky made his way off after only 17 minutes at Atletico in March, it carried all the hallmarks of a moment that could end his Spurs career.

The 23-year-old Czech had slipped twice to give away goals and his removal by then head coach Igor Tudor was brutal.

Tudor's refusal to even console the keeper as he came off made it an awkward watch for those of us in the Metropolitano, who were left wondering if Kinsky would ever play for Spurs again.

Vicario's hernia problem has seen Kinsky thrust back in, and his redemption arc continued with a magnificent display as Spurs drew 1-1 with Leeds United.

It was a performance that was testimony to his strength of character as much as his ability, and what a joy it must have been for Kinsky to hear his name echoing around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Kinsky's first-half save from Joe Rodon's header was outstanding, diving low to his left to make the stop right on the line - but his stop from Longstaff in stoppage time was even better.

Who knows just how vital that save may be amid the fine margins of a relegation battle?

What we do know is that there can be no doubts about Kinsky's character to come through the other side of such a harrowing experience to distinguish himself in spectacular fashion.

Lifeline for West Ham - is fight for survival going to wire?

While some may see this as a point gained in Tottenham's fight for survival others will view it as two points dropped and West Ham will likely have breathed a sigh of relief.

The Hammers' defeat by Arsenal on Sunday took their own future our of their hands and a Spurs victory on Monday would have left them four points adrift of safety with two games to go.

Instead, Tottenham sit just two points ahead of them and the fight to stay in the top flight looks like it could go down to the wire.

Image source, BBC Sport

West Ham face Newcastle away on Sunday before taking on Leeds on the last day of the season while Spurs travel to Chelsea on Tuesday 19 May before finishing their campaign at home against Everton.

"100% a missed opportunity for Spurs given the remaining fixtures," said Upson.

"If you are West Ham now you are looking at it and feeling a little better. If you look at what they have got to do and what Spurs have got to do, they are in touching distance.

"This was an opportunity for Spurs to take it out of West Ham's hands and they haven't."

Carragher said: "A real opportunity to almost put this whole season to bed, they will be very disappointed but I think the point will feel a lot better in the morning."

Spurs can take some comfort that four points from their final two games would be enough to see them safe, even if the Irons win both of their matches, thanks to their vastly superior goal difference.

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