1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Can results be misleading? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, statistical models was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are not won by xG. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star could be considered their only star, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. Unai Emery is crafty, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, it was likely because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, move infield and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games on the bounce for the maiden instance under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to claim three points.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the attacking areas made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. 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 dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He explained the team wanted to take a day off after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So it's recovery, work for those who didn't feature, and after three days off, then brief training for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a major worry for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he probably endures a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a solid undefeated streak featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes simulating? Analysis from a well-known analyst was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the force and aggression there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled a welcome result for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
