1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories was extended versus Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was tightly contested. Consistently, expected goals (xG) painted a different picture: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 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 individual talent – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star may be their only star, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. The Villa manager is wily, battle-hardened, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, it was likely because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and told Rogers to begin on the flank, move infield and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Senne Lammens looked solid, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six games without a win. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, the Brazilian scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. Since his arrival in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton occupied a European spot in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. He stated that victories 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 elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays the Catalan coach will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to enjoy a break after their recent victory but he refused because their display lacked quality. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then brief training for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is top.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Alexander Isak’s goal 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 break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, following a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans 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 could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament controversial calls 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. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem too willing to mention that costly trend 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 the Magpies' boss was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by the player's history for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes going down too easily? Comments by a well-known analyst was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
