1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Can results sometimes deceive? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: according to data United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by cohesive units, astute coaching and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward might just be their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. The Villa manager is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to begin on the flank, cut in and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games on the bounce for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. After 13 months 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 a late Saturday start on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the flaw 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 world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
On Christmas Day the Catalan coach will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He explained 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, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from good service boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Their manager certainly did not seem particularly eager 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 Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes simulating? The take of a well-known analyst was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for the Bees' boss. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
