1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric painted a different picture: analysis indicates United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers could be considered their primary talisman, but he is performing like Father Christmas. The Villa manager is shrewd, battle-hardened, five years ahead of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, move infield and cause him problems. Talent and management, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games in a row for the first time under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). Their keeper provided stability, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they were punished for defensive errors. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side occupied a European spot in the table not long ago given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that positive results will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period the Catalan coach will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to have a rest day after their recent victory but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family to relax. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, 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 converted from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a significant blow for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Liverpool having snuck up on the upper echelons, putting together a solid undefeated streak featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory 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 diverting the narrative from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem particularly eager 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 correct to highlight a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a well-known analyst was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the force and aggression there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for the Bees' boss. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
