Tottenham Hotspur’s Carabao Cup journey came to a disappointing end after suffering a 2-0 defeat to a dominant Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The result left fans frustrated and pundits critical, with former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara singling out goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for a costly mistake that summed up the team’s evening.
Newcastle opened the scoring midway through the first half when Fabian Schar met Sandro Tonali’s perfectly delivered corner with a powerful header that left Tottenham’s defense flat-footed.
The set piece itself caused controversy, as Djed Spence was seen tying his bootlaces just moments before the corner was taken, leaving Spurs temporarily disorganized. Despite protests from Tottenham players and staff, the goal stood, and Newcastle were in front.
Tottenham had chances to draw level before the break, with Brennan Johnson creating a moment of promise when he headed the ball into the path of Lucas Bergvall.
However, the young midfielder’s cross missed its target, failing to connect with Richarlison, who was poised to strike. Moments later, Johnson came close again, sending a driven ball toward the far post that narrowly escaped Bergvall’s reach.
At the other end, Newcastle looked sharp and clinical. Aaron Ramsdale, standing in for the injured Guglielmo Vicario, was forced into action to deal with efforts from Kevin Danso and Richarlison.
However, it was Harvey Barnes who came closest to extending Newcastle’s lead, striking the crossbar after a clever move from Malick Thiaw and Tonali. The Magpies went into halftime with a slender but deserved advantage.
The second half began in the worst possible fashion for Tottenham. Just minutes after the restart, Joe Willock should have made it 2-0 but failed to connect properly with a cross.
He soon made up for that miss by delivering a pinpoint ball into the box that Nick Woltemade headed past Kinsky, who was caught in an awkward position and failed to commit to either challenging or staying on his line. That indecision proved costly, leaving the net wide open and giving Newcastle a comfortable cushion.
From that point on, Spurs struggled to regain control. As they committed more men forward in search of a goal, Newcastle capitalized on the open spaces, repeatedly threatening on the counterattack.
Aaron Ramsdale did his best to keep his side in the game with a string of impressive saves, including a one-handed stop to deny Pape Sarr’s curling effort and another to keep out Richarlison’s close-range flick. Despite his heroics, Tottenham could not find a way back, and the match ended in a comprehensive defeat.
After the final whistle, criticism quickly poured in, with Jamie O’Hara leading the charge. The former Spurs midfielder took to social media to slam Kinsky’s performance, labeling the young goalkeeper’s display as “non-league.”
O’Hara argued that Kinsky’s poor positioning and hesitation during Woltemade’s goal effectively sealed Tottenham’s fate and cost them a potential place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper had a difficult evening under the lights at St James’ Park, and while his mistake was glaring, many have urged patience.
Kinsky, who joined Spurs from Slavia Prague, is still very young in goalkeeping terms and has limited top-flight experience. His raw ability is evident, but as many pundits have pointed out, he needs consistent playing time and experience to develop into a dependable Premier League shot-stopper.
Michel Vorm, a former Tottenham goalkeeper, recently spoke highly of Kinsky, calling him a “promising signing for the future.” Vorm acknowledged that stepping into the first team, especially in a side struggling for confidence, is a difficult task for any young keeper.
He added that Kinsky has the potential to push Vicario for the number one spot as he gains more experience, emphasizing the importance of regular game time for his growth.
Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario remains Tottenham’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. Despite early-season doubts about his command of the area, the Italian has silenced critics with strong performances, including back-to-back clean sheets against Monaco and Everton.
His calmness under pressure and sharp reflexes have made him one of Tottenham’s most reliable figures this season, ensuring his place as Thomas Frank’s go-to option between the posts.
For Kinsky, this match will serve as a tough but valuable lesson. Every young goalkeeper faces moments of scrutiny, and how he responds will determine his trajectory at the club.
Tottenham fans may have been frustrated with his mistake, but the potential remains clear. With the right guidance and patience, Kinsky could still become a solid backup and perhaps one day, a capable successor to Vicario.
As Spurs turn their attention back to the Premier League, Frank will be hoping his side can bounce back quickly. The defeat at Newcastle was a harsh reminder of the standards needed to compete at the top level, and while mistakes like Kinsky’s are costly, they are also part of the learning curve for a team still finding consistency.
For now, Tottenham must regroup, refocus, and prepare to show a stronger, more resilient performance in their upcoming fixtures.
