🔗 Share this article

1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass

Are match outcomes tell the whole story? That is the question. The Villans' triumphant run persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. Statistically, they were inferior by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: according to data United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star might just be their only star, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, move infield and torment him. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.

2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers

Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans rediscovered hope. They managed three league games on the bounce for the maiden instance under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to secure victories.

3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory

It was a late Saturday start on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their designs on the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.

4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City

Over the festive period Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He explained the players asked to have a rest day after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. He explained how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family for celebrations. I'll visit Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is top.”

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 exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the assurance with which he converted from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the sight of him departing immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.

6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea

Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem too willing to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s inability to hold onto 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 match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction 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 doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at earning fouls and sometimes simulating? Analysis from a former England striker was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”

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 spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly