1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results be misleading? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa have all three. The young forward might just be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, streets ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, it was likely because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and directed his attacker to begin on the flank, move infield and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games consecutively for the initial occasion under their manager. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. After 13 months in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to secure victories.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said the players asked to enjoy a break after their latest win but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then brief training for the next fixture. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – I recommend it, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like an arrival. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the calmness with which he clipped in from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans who would like to see such a gifted player perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having snuck up on the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their record signing.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often lament 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 seems a case in point. Their manager 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 eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the doubt informed by the player's history for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes simulating? Analysis from a former England striker was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He expects the tackle and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
