The Week in Goalkeeping 37: 20 year old debut, major FA Cup upset, Czech heroics, and more

The top goalkeeper news stories from March 29th to April 6th 2026. 

Trafford denies Salah from the spot

Last weekend, Liverpool travelled to the Etihad for an FA Cup quarter-final against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. This was Mohamed Salah’s first game since announcing that he will depart Anfield at the end of the season, but it wasn’t a game he will want to remember. 

The Reds were 4-0 down on the stroke of the hour mark but minutes after Haaland bagged his hat-trick, Liverpool were awarded a penalty. James Trafford, who has a good penalty record, was the man Salah needed to beat but the Englishman won the 12 yard battle, keeping his hopes of aclean sheet very much alive. City cruised to victory after Trafford’s save with the scoreline remaining 4-0.

Peretz plays major role in Cup upset

Yesterday, Arsenal made the journey to St Mary’s to play in-form Southampton in another FA Cup tie. Southampton went into halftime with a surprising 1-0 lead but Mikel Arteta’s changes put the tie back in the balance with Viktor Gyokeres scoring in the 68th minute. With the possibility of extra-time looking ever more likely, Southampton sent shockwaves through Arsenal hearts as Shea Charles scored the eventual winner. 

The Saints managed to hang on and a lot of that was thanks to goalkeeper Daniel Peretz who made several key saves as well as being aerially dominant from high balls. It was a fantastic performance by the Bayern Munich loanee goalkeeper who was instrumental in a huge cup upset. 

20 year old makes West Ham debut

Young English goalkeeper Finlay Herrick replaced Alphonse Areola in extra time during West Ham's FA Cup tie against Leeds over the Easter weekend. The youngster managed to save a Joel Piroe penalty in a shootout which the Hammers would go on to lose, but Herrick impressed regardless. 

During the 2024-25 season, Herrick was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season, boasting the most clean sheets in the division. He last put pen to paper on a new deal in October 2024, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2028.

Matz Sels to replace former Champions League winner?

Simon Mignolet, once of Liverpool and now of Club Brugge, has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the season. His replacement? Well, after finding himself out of favour at times this campaign, Matz Sels may be destined for a departure from Nottingham Forest. Could Sels make a return to Belgium after eight years to replace Mignolet?

Kovar the international hero once again

After his penalty heroics against Ireland, Matej Kovar and his Czech teammates were now only game away from achieving an American World Cup dream. Czechia would have to beat Denmark to make it to the tournament for the first time in 20 years. The game went all the way after both teams scored in extra time leaving the tie in the balance at 2-2. 

For the second time in the space of a week, the Czechs would go to penalties. Kovar denied Anders Dreyer from the spot - a save that would ultimately win his side the shootout - and wrote his name in Czech football history.

Who will start for Tottenham in relegation battle?

After Guglielmo Vicario had hernia surgery over the international break, Spurs fans have been left wondering as to who will fill the void in his absence under new boss Roberto De Zerbi. Antonin Kinsky would be the obvious answer to that question, however his infamous performance against Atletico Madrid last month may play a factor in the decision.

The other option would be Brandon Austin who has impressed whenever the opportunity has come his way. The third-choice goalkeeper won match of the match against Newcastle on his debut, made two successful appearances in the Europa League and has pulled off some astonishing saves in pre-season games against the likes of Hearts and QPR. So, who will start between the sticks in De Zerbi’s first game?