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Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

Where does football go as it moves on from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
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Premier League Matchday 29 Recap (2025/26)

           

Full Results (Matchday 29)

  • Bournemouth 0–0 Brentford

  • Everton 2–0 Burnley

  • Leeds 0–1 Sunderland

  • Wolves 2–1 Liverpool

  • Aston Villa 1–4 Chelsea

  • Brighton 0–1 Arsenal

  • Fulham 0–1 West Ham

  • Manchester City 2–2 Nottingham Forest

  • Newcastle 2–1 Manchester United

  • Tottenham 1–3 Crystal Palace

Game of the Matchday 

Newcastle 2–1 Manchester United

The pick of the bunch for this category was the match that took place at St James' Park. Newcastle had to do it the hard way after Jacob Ramsey was sent off for simulation in first-half stoppage time. What he failed to get, Anthony Gordon succeeded, winning and scoring a penalty to put the Magpies ahead. The joy was short-lived as Casemiro equalized quickly to set up an interesting second half. Playing with ten men for the entire 45 minutes, Newcastle defended resoundingly and picked their moments to catch United on the break. Manchester United's failure to capitalize on the numerical advantage was punished as a Kieran Trippier ball forward seemed destined to go out for a throw-in, only to be kept in by William Osula’s persistence. He drove forward to curl in an absolute beauty, winning the match for the team with ten men. His goal meant Michael Carrick’s nine-game unbeaten run has finally been snapped. You have to make your chances count at this level because football usually gives the other team a chance to make you pay, even when they are down a man.

Biggest Surprise

Wolves 2–1 Liverpool

Wolves have seemingly made a habit of ruining the weekends of the league's elite after another massive upset at Molineux. Following their win over Villa, they welcomed the reigning champions and pulled off another surprising result. Liverpool controlled 66% of the possession but looked toothless against a very deep and disciplined Wolves block. Wolves scored with their first shot as Rodrigo Gomes punished the Reds to give the home side the lead late in the 78th minute. Even though Mohamed Salah managed to level the score by ending his longest Premier League goal drought to date – spanning four months, and nine matches – Wolves didn't settle for a draw. Andre scored his first ever Wolves goal, a winner in the 94th minute with a deflected strike that made it consecutive league wins for Wolves against sides competing for Champions League football.

Best Team Performance

Aston Villa 1–4 Chelsea

Chelsea delivered arguably their most important performance of the season at Villa Park, dismantling one of the most stubborn teams in the league to tighten their grip on Champions League qualification. They fell behind early to a Douglas Luiz strike but responded with such composure that it completely silenced the home crowd. The Blues exploited the Villa defense repeatedly through quick transitions and clinical passing through the middle. Every player seemed to know their role perfectly, forcing Villa into uncharacteristic mistakes on their own turf. Chelsea dominated their direct rivals for a top-four finish, creating a massive xG of 3.60 and effectively ending the game as a contest by the time the fourth goal went in. It was a statement victory that proves they are serious contenders for Europe.

Player of the Matchday

Joao Pedro (Chelsea)

Joao Pedro was the undisputed star of not only the aforementioned hammering of Aston Villa, but also the whole weekend after his hat-trick destroyed a very good Aston Villa side. He showed exactly why he is one of the most in-form players in the league right now with a display of ruthless finishing. His second showed world-class confidence as he chipped Emi Martinez from a tight angle. With 14 league goals now for the season, he is sneaking his way in the race for the Golden Boot and finally looks like the focal point Chelsea have been missing. It wasn't just his scoring that stood out, but the way he led the press and linked up with the midfield throughout the entire ninety minutes. This is the Joao Pedro Chelsea signed from Brighton.

Honorable mentions - James Garner (Everton), Andre (Wolves) & Gabriel (Arsenal)

Moment of the Matchday

Murillo's goal-line clearance against Manchester City

Watch Murillo's clearance here

The most important moment of the matchday was an astounding defensive intervention at the Etihad in the dying seconds of the game. Letting leads slip twice, Manchester City were pushing desperately for a winner against Nottingham Forest and thought they had found it in the 100th minute. Following a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Savinho, who poked a shot toward the open net that looked destined to steal all three points. Out of nowhere, Murillo threw himself across the goal and somehow hooked the ball off the line with the final kick of the match. Pure desperation from both sides that summed up the positions they are in the season. That single clearance might be the difference between Forest staying up and City losing their grip on the title. Murillo has already become a cult hero in North London!

Looking Ahead – Matchday 30 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)

Saturday, 14 March (IST)

    • Burnley vs Bournemouth - 8:30 pm

    • Sunderland vs Brighton - 8:30 pm

    • Arsenal vs Everton - 11:00 pm

    • Chelsea vs Newcastle - 11:00 pm

    Sunday, 15 March (IST)

    • West Ham vs Manchester City - 1:30 am

    • Crystal Palace vs Leeds - 7:30 pm

    • Manchester United vs Aston Villa - 7:30 pm

    • Nottingham Forest vs Fulham - 7:30 pm

    • Liverpool vs Tottenham - 10:00 pm

    Tuesday, 17 March (IST)

    • Brentford vs Wolves - 1:30 am

    by ShotBlogged


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