1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by multiple metrics – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. As usual, statistical models sided with the opposition: reports suggest United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by solid teamwork, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa have all three. The young forward might just be their sole standout, but he is performing with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to begin on the flank, move infield and torment him. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games consecutively for the first time under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team on his own. In many respects it is surprising that Everton sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he savoured a deserved win and a return to the top of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. 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 dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays the Catalan coach will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said the team wanted to have a rest day after their latest win but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – I recommend it, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having quietly moved into the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their record signing.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often complain about controversial calls as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction 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 leeway informed by past incidents for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a well-known analyst was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He expects the tackle and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, 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; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at 99.17%, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
