1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results sometimes deceive? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: according to data United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers might just be their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. The Villa manager is crafty, seasoned, five years ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, it was likely because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, drive inside and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They secured three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, 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 a good goal, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the attacking areas made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and their manager, while he savoured a deserved win and a return to the top of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon 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 Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed the team wanted to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a reckless attempt, was a huge concern for Arne Slot and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. Reports suggest 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 Slot’s team having quietly moved into the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Their manager certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern 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 correct to highlight a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being skilled at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a respected pundit was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
