1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Are match outcomes tell the whole story? That is the question. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, the xG metric sided with the opposition: analysis indicates United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, astute coaching and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward could be considered their sole standout, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, seasoned, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, it was likely because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, cut in and torment him. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under their manager. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), 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 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. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and their star man failing to inspire an entire team single-handedly. 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 entire season without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. He explained how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family to relax. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the assurance with which he finished from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having quietly moved into 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 £125m investment.
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 numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe 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 eventually tied. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check 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 doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a well-known analyst was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for the Bees' boss. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
