1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric was unimpressed: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are not won by xG. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. The young forward could be considered their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. The Spanish tactician is wily, seasoned, streets ahead of his counterpart. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were superior for large periods without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was a late Saturday start 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 Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He explained the team wanted to take a day off after their recent victory but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – 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 to relax. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is top.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he converted from good service was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has suffered a broken leg and he likely faces a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having snuck up on the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often moan about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions 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 eventually tied. 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 the England international. 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 exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
