1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores tell the whole story? It's a valid query. The Villans' triumphant run was extended versus Manchester United, but so did the persistent questions. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: analysis indicates United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star may be their only star, but he is performing with festive regularity. The Villa manager is crafty, seasoned, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, cut in and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans felt optimism return. They managed three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were superior for large periods without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. 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 evening fixture on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that Everton occupied a European spot in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. He stated that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He explained the players asked to take a day off after their recent victory but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the next fixture. The manager outlined how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in the right areas, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is top.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the assurance with which he clipped in from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he likely faces a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having quietly moved into the upper echelons, putting together a solid undefeated streak bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their prospects appear heavily dependent on those of their prize asset.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often moan about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by Gordon’s reputation for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a respected pundit was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he’s waiting for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond professionalism. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
