1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores be misleading? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: according to data United edged it 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. Villa's emerging star might just be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, seasoned, streets ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, combining effectively.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games in a row for the initial occasion under the Portuguese coach. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a routine shutout). Senne Lammens looked solid, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were superior for large periods without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the attacking areas made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. He stated 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 international stars, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed the players asked to have a rest day after their latest win but the request was denied because their display lacked quality. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then brief training for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was precisely the reason 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 finished from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, following a rash challenge, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their record signing.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing to mention that unfortunate habit 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 referee not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the defender the leeway informed by Gordon’s reputation for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a former England striker was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond pride. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
