1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores tell the whole story? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: analysis indicates 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 individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. Unai Emery is wily, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and directed his attacker to start wide, cut in and torment him. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans felt optimism return. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, only two victories, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the final third made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees 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 relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that victories will inevitably grow more comfortable with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said his squad requested to take a day off after their latest win but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So it's recovery, work for those who didn't feature, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the next fixture. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is top.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was exactly what 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 a neat pass was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a reckless attempt, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they want to keep private. The 13 points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check 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 past incidents for being skilled at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a well-known analyst was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” 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 strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for their manager. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
