1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Can results be misleading? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, but so did the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, statistical models sided with the opposition: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are not won by xG. They are won by solid teamwork, tactical brilliance and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. The young forward could be considered their sole standout, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. Unai Emery is wily, experienced, streets ahead of his counterpart. If Rogers profited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro is not a right-back, and told Rogers to start wide, 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 on the bounce for the first time under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, only two victories, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were superior for large periods without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to secure victories.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is remarkable that Everton sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the confidence with which he finished from good service boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a major worry for Arne Slot 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 picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Howe was surely right to question 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 penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by past incidents for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes simulating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
