Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring a faltering Nottingham Forest, Brentford’s deadly duo, and the division’s most improved player.
Can faltering Forest hold their nerve in the run-in?
After a big win against Manchester United earlier this month, Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates admitted the club are dreaming of Champions League football – but warned things can quickly unravel.
“I’d be lying if I said we weren’t speaking about it a little bit,” Yates said to Sky Sports.
“I think it’s just natural. It’s a really fine balance because I just know how cruel football is. You can go on fantastic runs and, if you get complacent, you can also lose three on the spin. A few years ago, I’d already be booking my flights with the family over to X, Y and Z in Europe. Until things are mathematically done, we need to keep working.”
Now, Yates’s concern over a cruel twist is in danger of materialising. Back-to-back defeats have tightened up the race for the top five, with Forest on the receiving end of a late sucker punch at home to Everton this weekend.
Nuno’s thoughts after today’s result. 🗣️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 12, 2025
As things stand, just three points separate Forest in third and Aston Villa down in seventh. Newcastle, meanwhile, will move above Forest if the Magpies avoid defeat to Crystal Palace in midweek. Forest have wobbled and Nuno needs his side to hold their nerve across the run-in. It’s been a magic season for Forest, who must dig deep to get over the line.
Wissa and Mbeumo are modern-day Barclaysmen
Late last year, social media exploded with the Barclaysmen trend. The Cultras Football Podcast popularised the term, derived from the long-running partnership between Barclays bank and the Premier League. Between 2001 and 2016, Barclays was the title sponsor of England’s top flight and the ‘Barclaysmen’ are players who defined that era.
We’re not talking about the best players per se, but those who left an indelible mark on the Premier League and, more pertinently, fan culture.
Right now, the Premier League has some truly brilliant modern equivalents. Jean-Phillipe Mateta tucking in goals in a tucked-in shirt springs immediately to mind.
However, Brentford’s deadly double-act might just be the best of the lot. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have dovetailed delightfully all season, for a Brentford side who continue to punch above their weight.
15 + 15 – Brentford are the only team in the Premier League to have had two different players score 15+ goals in the competition this season – Bryan Mbeumo (16) and Yoane Wissa (15). Duo. pic.twitter.com/AUrkLFuS4L
— OptaPlay (@OptaPlay) April 12, 2025
The duo have combined for 31 league goals this season, with the Bees remarkably the only team in the division to have two players on 15+ league goals. Combined with signature handshake celebrations and true on-the-pitch chemistry, this is modern Barclaysmen ...
