1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? One must ask. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, but so did the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. In keeping with form, statistical models sided with the opposition: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and sparkling skill – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star could be considered their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. The Villa manager is shrewd, seasoned, significantly more advanced of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans rediscovered hope. They secured three league games consecutively for the initial occasion under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, 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. Since his arrival in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the holiday period but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the deficiency should be equally concerning given their ambitions for the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. But it is somewhat premature 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 Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day the City manager will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to take a day off after their latest win but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and after three days off, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. 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 these positions, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is top.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having quietly moved into the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s maiden league strikes 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 shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely right to question a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by the player's history for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a former England striker was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” came the observation. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
