1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Do the final scores tell the whole story? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. In keeping with form, the xG metric sided with the opposition: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by solid teamwork, astute coaching and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. If Rogers profited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to start wide, cut in and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games in a row for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a glaring absence of finesse in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with offensive players absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table recently given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results will inevitably grow more comfortable with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed the players asked to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the next fixture. He explained how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is top.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he clipped in from good service was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, following a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and frustrating for fans who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. There are fears Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament debatable rulings as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season seems a case in point. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the doubt informed by the player's history for being expert at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a former England striker was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” came the observation. “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 … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for the Bees' boss. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
