1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by several measures – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. As usual, the xG metric painted a different picture: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star might just be their primary talisman, but he is performing with festive regularity. The Villa manager is wily, experienced, significantly more advanced of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from Leny Yoro’s naivety, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to start wide, move infield and exploit the space. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They secured three league games in a row for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. In a run of eight matches, two wins, six games without a win. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with key attackers absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed the team wanted to have a rest day after their latest win but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. He explained how improvements can be made. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a reckless attempt, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season seems a case in point. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem too willing to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a respected pundit was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled a welcome result for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; Opta state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
