1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run continued against Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric sided with the opposition: 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, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from a positional error, it was likely because Emery had spotted that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, drive inside and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games on the bounce for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the holiday period but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees sat fifth in the table not long ago given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and their manager, while he relished a hard-fought three points and reclaiming first place of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that positive results will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
Over the festive period Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said the team wanted to enjoy a break after their recent victory but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in optimal spots, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the confidence with which he clipped in from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and frustrating for fans who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with those of their record signing.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
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. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend 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 correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the doubt informed by past incidents for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a former England striker was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” came the observation. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
