1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Are match outcomes be misleading? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, the xG metric painted a different picture: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward may be their only star, but he is performing with festive regularity. The Villa manager is shrewd, experienced, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, it was likely because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and told Rogers to begin on the flank, cut in and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games consecutively for the maiden instance under Ruben Amorim. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a routine shutout). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they were punished for defensive errors. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and their star man failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table not long ago given they have played the entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their designs on the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said the players asked to take a day off after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So it's recovery, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he finished from a neat pass was highly promising. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR 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 altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for their manager. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
