1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was by a narrow margin. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: reports suggest United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by solid teamwork, astute coaching and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward might just be their only star, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, battle-hardened, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. If Rogers profited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, move infield and torment him. Individual brilliance and coaching, in perfect harmony.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans rediscovered hope. They managed three league games in a row for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, only two victories, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees occupied a European spot in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that victories 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 international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their latest win but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. He explained how the side can improve. “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.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family for celebrations. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is top.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he clipped in from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a significant blow for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having quietly moved into the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend 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 correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a respected pundit was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled a welcome result for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
