1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Can results sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, the xG metric sided with the opposition: according to data United edged it 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 have all three. Villa's emerging star might just be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is wily, seasoned, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. If Rogers profited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, cut in and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games in a row for the initial occasion under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that positive results will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. 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 relying on grinding out wins.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays the City manager will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He explained the players asked to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could generate more chances.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family for celebrations. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, 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 exactly what Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his movement and range of finishing, and the confidence with which he converted from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a rash challenge, was a significant blow for the Liverpool manager and frustrating for fans who would like to see an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. 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 unfortunate habit 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 match officials not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at drawing contact and sometimes simulating? Analysis from a respected pundit was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
