1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, accompanied by 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), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by cohesive units, astute coaching and sparkling skill – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers may be their sole standout, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, seasoned, five years ahead of his counterpart. If Rogers profited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, cut in and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was expected with offensive players absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and ascending to the summit of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that victories 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 talented players on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays the Catalan coach will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could generate more chances.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was exactly what Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he clipped in from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the sight of him departing immediately, following a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for Arne Slot and a shame for any neutral who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. It is believed 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 snuck up on the top four, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they want to keep private. The 13 points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing 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 Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the doubt informed by past incidents for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a respected pundit was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
