1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, statistical models painted a different picture: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star may be their only star, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is wily, experienced, five years ahead 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, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the attacking areas made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the team wanted to take a day off after their latest win but he refused because their display lacked quality. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then brief training for the next fixture. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the calmness with which he clipped in from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, due to a rash challenge, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. There are fears Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem too willing 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 Howe 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 defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a respected pundit was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” came the observation. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
