Something finally gave way at Molineux on Saturday. After weeks of frustration, failed attempts, and a winless run stretching back to late December, Tottenham Hotspur picked up three crucial Premier League points with a hard-fought win over Wolverhampton Wanderers — and Roberto de Zerbi has his first victory as Spurs head coach.
It had been a long time coming. Tottenham's last league win before this one came on 28 December, a narrow 1-0 triumph at Crystal Palace. Since then, they went the entirety of 2026 without tasting victory in the Premier League — an extraordinary and deeply worrying sequence that stretched to eight defeats in just 11 games across all competitions. For a club with Spurs' ambitions and quality, it was a genuinely alarming slide.
De Zerbi, appointed just weeks ago, was under no illusions about what was needed. He made that clear before making the trip to Wolverhampton. "I don't want to put pressure but we have to know the situation," he said bluntly. "We can't forget the table; we can't forget we need to win. What we have done until now is not enough." Strong words — and words that, for once, appeared to land with the right effect on his squad.
The first half was far from convincing. Tottenham played it safe, keeping possession without creating much, their movements stilted by a lack of confidence that has been visible throughout this rough patch. Eight losses in eleven leaves its mark on a dressing room, and you could see that tension in the way Spurs moved in the opening period. De Zerbi himself would later acknowledge it, saying his players have the quality but have been playing with anxiety weighing them down.
But goalkeeper Tomas Kinsky proved pivotal. The Czech stopper, who has been carrying Spurs' defensive duties with admirable composure during this difficult spell, came up with crucial saves at key moments to keep the scoreline in Tottenham's favour. His performances have been one of the few consistent bright spots in an otherwise turbulent run for the club, and Saturday was no different.
When the final whistle blew, the relief from the Spurs camp was palpable. De Zerbi admitted as much afterwards while also looking forward. "I hope this result can change something in our head," he said. He knows the job is far from done — Tottenham remain in a difficult position, and the Italian was careful not to oversell the moment. "If we win at Wolves, it's not finished," he had warned beforehand, and he stayed true to that message after the victory.
Still, there was genuine warmth in how De Zerbi spoke about his players. Having had time to work with them closely since taking charge, he's been impressed by what he's seen behind the scenes, even when results haven't shown it. "When I knew the players better I understood we have the chance to stay up," he said. "The players know what they can do on the pitch, especially this season. We didn't win a game in 2026 but in the Champions League league phase they finished fourth." That record — a top-four Champions League phase finish — is no accident, and De Zerbi clearly believes the talent is there.
He also dismissed any notion that his squad lacks professionalism or desire. "All the players are professional, good guys. They are suffering from the situation," he said. "We need to stay strong in the head." It's a message about mental fortitude as much as tactical direction, and it's one that Spurs fans will hope resonates in the coming weeks.
Next up for Tottenham is a trip to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, 3 May — a game that could prove vital in determining where Spurs finish the season. If De Zerbi can take the momentum from Molineux into that game and build on it, Saturday could genuinely mark a turning point. If not, the pressure will ramp up again quickly. But for now, after all those weeks of waiting, Tottenham have their win — and their new manager has made his mark.
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