1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run continued against Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: analysis indicates 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, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Morgan Rogers may be their sole standout, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is crafty, battle-hardened, streets ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, drive inside and torment him. Talent and management, combining effectively.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United went back to black. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
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 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 astonishing that the Toffees sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played all term without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be equally concerning given their ambitions for the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably become bigger 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 dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. Guardiola said the team wanted to enjoy a break after their latest win but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how improvements can be made. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he converted from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution immediately, following a reckless attempt, was a huge concern for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season seems a case in point. The Newcastle boss 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 eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR 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 defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he started his career with. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond pride. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
