1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Can results be misleading? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) painted a different picture: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by collective effort, astute coaching and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward could be considered their only star, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. The Villa manager is wily, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, that was probably because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and instructed his winger to start wide, move infield and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, only two victories, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward 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. Since his arrival in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the holiday period but a glaring absence of finesse in the final third made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team on his own. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period the Catalan coach will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed the players asked to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because their display lacked quality. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family to relax. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his movement and range of finishing, and the assurance with which he finished from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a significant blow 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 could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season is a prime example. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Analysis from a well-known analyst was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” came the observation. “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. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he started his career with. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
