1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Can results be misleading? That is the question. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was tightly contested. Consistently, statistical models sided with the opposition: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, astute coaching and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. Morgan Rogers may be their only star, but he is performing with festive regularity. Unai Emery is wily, experienced, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games on the bounce for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – a routine shutout). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. Eight games, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was a late Saturday start on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire 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 entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be of similar concern given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. 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 needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to take a day off after their latest win but the request was denied because their display lacked quality. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. He explained how improvements can be made. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could generate more chances.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
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 exactly what 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 finished from good service boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. It is believed Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a solid undefeated streak featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often moan about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they want to keep private. The numerous points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe 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 had to settle for a point in. Yet Howe was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a respected pundit was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with 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 – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
