1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores tell the whole story? That is the question. Villa's run of victories was extended versus Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, statistical models 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 solid teamwork, astute coaching and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Morgan Rogers may be their only star, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is wily, experienced, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, drive inside and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans felt optimism return. They had won 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 (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United went back to black. Eight games, only two victories, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were superior for large periods without ever looking like winning. Yes, the Brazilian scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to key players), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a distinct lack of quality in the final third made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and the experienced winger unable to spark an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing 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 enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the flaw should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed his squad requested to have a rest day after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is top.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Dutch coach 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 probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear heavily dependent on those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often moan about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes simulating? Comments by a former England striker was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact 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 their manager. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
