1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results tell the whole story? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by multiple metrics – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by solid teamwork, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star could be considered their primary talisman, but he is performing with festive regularity. The Villa manager is crafty, seasoned, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.
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 initial occasion under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, the Brazilian scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (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 a late Saturday start on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with key attackers absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place 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 a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to take a day off after their latest win but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's highly recommended, 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, as a turning point. 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 assurance with which he clipped in from a neat pass was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward 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 significant setback with the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear heavily dependent on those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often moan about controversial calls as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s failure to protect 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 on-field referee and VAR 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 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? Analysis from a well-known analyst was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
