1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, the xG metric painted a different picture: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers could be considered their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. If Rogers profited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and directed his attacker to start wide, cut in and torment him. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games on the bounce for the first time under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Their keeper provided stability, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, only two victories, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were superior for large periods without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. After 13 months in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was a late Saturday start on the holiday period but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with key attackers absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side occupied a European spot in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he savoured a deserved win and reclaiming first place of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
Over the festive period the Catalan coach will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his movement and range of finishing, and the confidence with which he finished from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for the Liverpool manager and frustrating for fans who would like to see such a gifted player perform at his best again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having quietly moved into the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear heavily dependent on those of their £125m investment.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen 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 the Magpies' boss was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. 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 first away win this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
