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Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the victory at Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
Roberto De Zerbi held his first victorious press conference as Tottenham manager after their 1-0 win at Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.
Spurs struggled to break Wolves down despite having most of the ball with 68.9% of the possession in the first half. The visitors then lost Dominic Solanke 38 minutes into the contest with a muscle injury to keep up their woeful injury record this season with De Zerbi losing four players in his first three matches at that point.
It became five in front of the 3,000 travelling Spurs fans with a knee injury to Xavi Simons.
However the visiting side showed some character and Joao Palhinha finally found a breakthrough when a corner into the box fell for Richarlison and his effort was squirming wide before the midfielder slid the ball into the net.
There was still a need for a remarkable last-gasp flying save from Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Joao Gomes' free-kick to ensure the three points headed back to the capital, where West Ham beat Everton to keep Spurs in the drop zone but still just two points behind their rivals.
Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the club's first Premier League victory of 2026. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at Molineux.
You can't control results elsewhere but you must be pleased with the character shown to get the job done?
Yeah, I think in the first half, in the first 30-35 minutes, we played well. We didn't create big chances to score, but anyway we had total control of the game. And then, I don't know, the pressure, maybe not winning any games in 2026, maybe this pressure, maybe because we played against Wolverhampton already relegated. We lost distances, we lost order on the pitch. Every one of us wanted to go one-to-one.
But anyway, I'm happy for the result. I hope this result can change something in our head, in our mentality. And for the other results, it's already very tough to win a game for us. If we put our heads on the other teams, it becomes too tough for me.
Can I ask about Xavi and Solanke and their injuries?
For Xavi it is a problem of his knee. We go to see in the next days. Monday or Tuesday. For Solanke it is not a big problem. I don’t know how many games we lose him but I would like to know the situation with Xavi because the knee is always different than the muscular injury.
What happened with Xavi? It looked like he tried to continue?
He felt pain. Now I spoke to him two, three minutes ago. He feels better than the beginning of the injury.
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How proud are you of Antonin Kinsky after that big late save?
He deserves this day, because he played very well today. Especially today, he was crucial for the result. He deserves everything, because he's a good guy, he's a good keeper. Especially after Madrid, he deserves one day like today.
You said that one win could be a game-changer for you, what is the mood like after the dressing room?
Yes, I hope so. But I wouldn't like to lose any other players, because Romero, Kudus, now Solanke and maybe Xavi. We can win the games with the players, not with the coaches. The coaches are important, but the players are more important. But I want to be positive.
I want to be positive, Mathys Tel played 45 minutes very well. At the beginning of the first half also Kolo Muani started very well the game and then he lost I don’t know confidence. We have to go every day for lunch with Kolo Muani this week. Every day breakfast, lunch and dinner because he is a top player as potential and he plays the better he feels and (feel) better on the pitch he tried to go one v one, to shoot, to do something more with more energy because he can do. He can do that.
Did you say you went for lunch with him last week?
No, no. Just two, with Kolo Muani. Is there a problem if I go with him?
No...
Thank you.
You spoke about the players' minds, with that win and being two points from safety, is there that belief that they can save the season?
I think the players know what they are and what they can do on the pitch. Especially this season, because it's true, we didn't win a game in 2026, but finished fifth in the table in the Champions League. In the Champions League, I think it's not so easy or easier than the Premier League. So they have to be positive. They have to feel full confidence. Because they are good and not to see the other results. For example, West Ham. We have to move on and prepare for the next games. Now the first game is Villa Park and that's it.
Can I just ask you about that moment at full-time where you looked like you were fist-pumping in front of the fans, what that means for you and the squad and what it means for the fans as well?
Yes, because I believe to stay up. If I stay here, it's because I'm positive. Not because I'm a coach of Tottenham or Tottenham is not important on the pitch, if you are Tottenham or another team, the most important are the qualities of the players and the human level of the players. It was a surprise for me, because I didn't know them and when I knew better my players, I understood we have the possibility and the chance to stay up. We have two points. Not ten points. We have two points from West Ham. They are a good team, but also Tottenham have very good players and are a very good team.
What surprised you about the players?
Yes, because when I watch the game or if you watch the game from the stand or TV, you can't understand if they have the right spirit or if they have the right attitude. And I work with them every day and all players are professional, good guys and they are suffering for this situation. Just (need) to give them confidence and order on the pitch, because I didn't like the second half at all. We could play better, we have to play better, much better than the second half. We have to play like the first 30 minutes. Maybe creating more chances to score and more shots on goal.
Tottenham have struggled to make chances for a long time. Now Xavi is injured, Solanke as well, are you going to have to get creative to find different ways?
We can play with Mathys Tel on the left. Kolo Muani on the right. Souza on the right. Bergvall on the left. We have to create. I don’t want to change too much (like) three defenders or four defenders, I don’t want to put more confusion on the players, especially this season because they changed a lot of tactical disposition. I want to be clear and simple but for your question, we need to stay strong in the head and positive in ourselves.
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