1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores tell the whole story? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. As usual, expected goals (xG) painted a different picture: reports suggest United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, astute coaching and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward may be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is crafty, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, cut in and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, in perfect harmony.
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 had won three league games consecutively for the initial occasion under the Portuguese coach. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees occupied a European spot in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably grow more comfortable with graft and determination. 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 dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
Over the festive period the Catalan coach will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said the players asked to enjoy a break after their latest win but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. He explained how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he clipped in from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the scene of his substitution immediately, due to a rash challenge, was a significant blow for the Liverpool manager and frustrating for fans who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. It is believed Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool 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 campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their record signing.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely right to question a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being expert at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a former England striker was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
