Wolves edged ever closer to clinching Premier League survival at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Southampton.
A brace from Jorgen Strand Larsen, assisted twice by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, sent Wolves nine points clear of the relegation zone after Leicester City and Ipswich Town both lost.
Wolves now have a 1.8% chance of being relegated, suggesting Vitor Pereira has done a fantastic job since replacing Gary O’Neil in December.
But Pereira doesn’t think Wolves are safe till it’s mathematically confirmed, even with fixtures against West Ham and Ipswich Town on the horizon.
Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Alan Shearer names Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde in TOTW
On Saturday, it wasn’t the most convincing performance collectively, as the visitors faced a nervy final 15 minutes once the Saints pulled one back.
However, the displays of two attacking individuals stood out, with Bellegarde and Strand Larsen producing the quality moments that decided the contest.
Bellegarde’s sumptuous cross saw Strand Larsen glance his header past Aaron Ramsdale, and for the second, the Frenchman’s incisive pass allowed the Norwegian to finish calmly.
Recognising their roles in the win at St Mary’s, Alan Shearer has named the Wolves duo in his Premier League Team of the Week for gameweek 29.
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“What a performance and what a big win for Wolves. He has been transformed since Vitor Pereira took charge – two crucial assists is testament to that,” he said of Bellegarde.
“The Norwegian delivered under pressure, scoring two clinically taken goals that should ease Wolves’ relegation worries,” he wrote on Strand Larsen.
Strand Larsen closing in on Wolves record
Before heading to the South Coast, Strand Larsen hadn’t scored since the 2-2 draw against Tottenham in December.
But his brace in Saturday’s victory propelled him to nine goals in 2024/25, seeing him move one away from double figures.
The only Wolves players who have managed this previously are Raul Jimenez, Steven Fletcher, Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan.
Double figures for Premier League goals at Wolves
Raul Jimenez (2018/19 / 2019/20)
Steven Fletcher (2010/11 / 2011/12)
Hwang Hee-chan (2023/24)
Matheus Cunha (2023/24) / 2024/25)
With only nine matches remaining, surely Strand Larsen will hit double figures for goals in the Premier League and become only the fifth Wolves player to do so.