1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? That is the question. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, statistical models painted a different picture: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star might just be their only star, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. If Rogers profited from a positional error, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and torment him. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games on the bounce for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. Since his arrival in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said his squad requested to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but he refused 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 next fixture. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading 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'm going to Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he finished from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a solid undefeated streak bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. 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 ended up drawing. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a well-known analyst was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
