1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. Consistently, the xG metric sided with the opposition: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by solid teamwork, tactical brilliance and sparkling skill – and Villa boast the complete package. The young forward might just be their only star, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is crafty, experienced, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, that was probably because Emery had spotted that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to begin on the flank, move infield and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games in a row for the initial occasion under Ruben Amorim. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton occupied a European spot in the table two weeks earlier 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 just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because their display lacked quality. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and following a short break, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading 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 have holidays with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. There are fears 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 the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often lament controversial calls as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. 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 blatant body check on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by past incidents for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a well-known analyst was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled relief for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he started his career with. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
