1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results be misleading? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, the xG metric sided with the opposition: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star may be their primary talisman, but he is performing as a timely gift. The Spanish tactician is wily, experienced, significantly more advanced of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, move infield and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They secured three league games in a row for the initial occasion under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six games without a win. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and their star man failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton sat fifth in the table not long ago given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that positive results will inevitably become bigger with hard work and perseverance. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
On Christmas Day the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He explained the players asked to have a rest day after their latest win but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then brief training for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he converted from good service looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for Arne Slot and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results highlighted by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen 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 Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He expects the tackle and he’s waiting for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly