1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results tell the whole story? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the nagging doubts. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. Consistently, the xG metric painted a different picture: according to data 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 collective effort, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers could be considered their only star, but he is performing with festive regularity. The Villa manager is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, it was likely because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and told Rogers to begin on the flank, drive inside and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, combining effectively.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They managed three league games in a row for the maiden instance under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to influential figures), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
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 final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he savoured a deserved win and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. The manager claimed that victories will inevitably become bigger with hard work and perseverance. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “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.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family to relax. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is top.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he finished from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. It is believed Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a solid undefeated streak featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Eddie Howe 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 Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the defender the doubt informed by the player's history for being skilled at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a former England striker was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he started his career with. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
