1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by several measures – fewer shots (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, the xG metric painted a different picture: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward may be their sole standout, but he is performing as a timely gift. The Villa manager is shrewd, seasoned, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, that was probably because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, cut in and exploit the space. Talent and management, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They managed three league games on the bounce for the maiden instance 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 (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a routine shutout). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (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. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side occupied a European spot in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed 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 quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
During the holidays Pep Guardiola 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 declined because their display lacked quality. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could generate more chances.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family for celebrations. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is top.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he converted from good service looked extremely positive. So the sight of him departing immediately, following a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. It is believed Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he probably endures a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having quietly moved into the top four, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention 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 particularly eager to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by past incidents for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming 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. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
