Key Takeaways From Matchweek 29: Present & Former Man United Stars Dominate

03/20/2025 09:07 AM

Matchweek 29 in the Premier League delivered some predictable results, a few surprises, and quite a bit of exciting action.

A total of 24 goals were scored across 8 games during this matchweek. With players now departing for the final international break of the season, let's take a look at the 12 takeaways from the Premier League matchweek 29.

#Wolves all but secure survival

Any lingering doubts over the relegation battle were busted after Wolverhampton Wanderers picked up a vital 2-1 win at Southampton thanks to a brace from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

With the win at the south coast, the Wanderers pulled nine points clear of the relegation zone with the bottom three showing no signs of life. Leicester City have lost 13 of their last 14 games under Ruud van Nistelrooy, Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town have not won in 10 since the turn of the year while Southampton bosses have accepted relegation.

#Manchester United pile more misery on Ruud van Nistelrooy

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has sounded like a beaten man in recent weeks. The gap between the Foxes from safety only widened on Sunday following a 3-0 defeat at home to Van Nistelrooy's former club Manchester United.

Man United were ruthless in front of goal, scoring via Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. The result was Leicester's seventh straight home defeat under the Dutch tactician and 13th overall in the last 14 games. The mountain's getting bigger for Leicester and Ruud is running out of time.

#Rasmus Hojlund finally ends his goal drought

Rasmus Hojlund broke his 21-match goal drought, scoring in the 3-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium. He broke the deadlock for United just before the half-hour mark, getting on the end of a brilliant ball from Bruno Fernandes before firing home well past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

One could just sense the relief on the young striker's face as he walked back to the halfway line for the restart. Before finding the back of the net against the Foxes, the Dane had not scored for 22 hours and 19 minutes—a barren run that stretched back to December, when he grabbed a double against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.

It should give Hojlund a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the season post-March international break.

#Nottingham Forest overcome Ipswich Town in a six-goal thriller

Nottingham Forest were the big winners in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League this Premier League weekend.

The Tricky Trees were full value of their win over the relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at Portman Road, beating the hosts 4-2. With Newcastle United not playing at the weekend and Manchester City dropping further points, Forest's win at Ipswich was indeed a big win. With that result, Nuno Espirito Santo's men went six points clear of Man City with just nine games to go.

#Clock ticking for Ipswich Town

It is growing hard to ignore the numbers surrounding Ipswich Town. Kieran McKenna's side have won just three of their 29 games and sit 18th in the table.

The Tractor Boys were smashed 4-2 by Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and on another day, it could have been more for the visitors. They have not won in 10 games since the start of 2025, and with Wolves beating Southampton on Saturday, time is not Kieran McKenna's friend.

#One step forward, three backwards for Tottenham

Tottenham were beaten 2-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. It was their 15th defeat of the Premier League season—with only the bottom four clubs in the division having tasted defeat more than Ange Postecoglou's side.

Spurs had produced a strong display in midweek and beaten AZ Alkmaar 3-1 in the second leg to qualify for the Europa League last eight. That gave them much-needed confidence heading into the game against Fulham, an opportunity to build on the victory over AZ Alkmaar and head into the international break on a positive note.

However, it turned out to be the same story as Tottenham produced a disappointing performance at Craven Cottage. Indeed, this has been a season of one step forward and three backwards for the Lilywhites.

#Willian impresses on Fulham return

Willian made his first start for Fulham since re-joining the club during the winter transfer window after a forgettable six months with Greek giants Olympiakos. The fleet-footed winger was at it from the first whistle, pinning back full-back Djed Spence and pressing the opposition well.

The Brazilian came close to scoring with a devilish, typical curling effort in the second half that gave Guglielmo Vicario absolutely no chance. Willian was involved in every good Fulham produced going forward and linked up very well with left-back Antonee Robinson. This demonstrates why Marco Silva was so keen to bring him back to the club.

#Setback for Bournemouth in race for Champions League spots

Bournemouth were beaten 2-1 by Brentford at the Vitality Stadium—their third defeat in the last five games. Fatigue and injury problems are taking place at the wrong time for the Cherries, who at one point were looking favourites to clinch a Champions League spot.

The defeat to Brentford has left Andoni Iraola's side 10th in the table, five points adrift of top four spots. Iraola has been doing a fine job since arriving at the club in 2023 and he will want his boys to buck up for the final stretch of games if they intend to play in the Champions League next term.

Jake O'Brien earns Everton a valuable point vs West Ham

Everton extended their unbeaten run to nine games in the Premier League under David Moyes after they drew 1-1 against West Ham United on Saturday at Goodison Park.

The fears of relegation have vanished ever since Moyes returned to the club. There is a buzz and excitement at Goodison Park which has been barely felt in the last few seasons. Injuries to some of the key players have not dampened Everton's spirits. And on Saturday, they showed great fight against West Ham.

Inching closer towards only his second defeat after returning to Merseyside, Moyes needed some inspiration against his former employers. Right-back Jake O'Brien stepped up to the plate, heading in a delicious cross in injury time to earn a valuable point and send the Goodison Park faithful into raptures.

# Chelsea’s backline needs some additions

Chelsea have not been up to the scratch defensively this season. The goalkeeper situation has not helped as Robert Sanchez further demonstrated against Arsenal on Sunday that he is not good enough to be the club's No.1. However, apart from the goalkeeping conundrum, the Blues continue to be defensively fragile under Enzo Maresca.

Maresca now must be getting jittery after seeing a solid start to his debut season at Stamford Bridge give way to inconsistency. The Italian's worry is completely justified as his side couldn't keep a clean sheet against Arsenal and failed to break down a well-drilled defence.

Mikel Merino headed home from a corner-kick which turned out to be the difference between both sides. Chelsea were undone by a set-piece again that should worry Maresca. At this point, it is clear the Pensioners need defensive reinforcements come the summer transfer window.

#No way back for Southampton

For months now, Southampton officials would have accepted their fate. They remain on course to be the worst side in the Premier League history.

The Saints lost their 21st game of the season on Saturday—a 2-1 home defeat to Wolves. It was a bitter blow because the win allowed Wolves to steer clear of the doomed pack. Ivan Juric's team are heading for relegation with nine games to spare—the current squad is not just fit to compete in the top flight.

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