1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes tell the whole story? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric sided with the opposition: 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 have all three. Villa's emerging star might just be their only star, but he is performing like Father Christmas. The Villa manager is shrewd, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, it was likely because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They secured three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under their manager. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, the Brazilian scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to influential figures), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side occupied a European spot in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. 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 title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that positive results will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. Guardiola said the players asked to enjoy a break after their recent victory but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, work for those who didn't feature, and following a short break, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he converted from good service boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having snuck up on the upper echelons, putting together a six-game unbeaten run bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. The numerous points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely right to question a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. 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 expert at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a well-known analyst was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the force and aggression there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled joy for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
