1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results be misleading? That is the question. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. As usual, the xG metric was unimpressed: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are not won by xG. They are won by solid teamwork, astute coaching and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward may be their primary talisman, but he is performing with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, battle-hardened, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, that was probably because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and directed his attacker to begin on the flank, drive inside and torment him. Talent and management, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. 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 solid results – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six games without a win. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a glaring absence of finesse in the attacking areas made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably grow more comfortable with hard work and perseverance. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day the City manager will check the weights 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 the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the assurance with which he finished from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a huge concern for Arne Slot and a shame for any neutral who would like to see an extraordinary talent hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they want to keep private. The 13 points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. Their manager certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a former England striker was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
