1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes be misleading? That is the question. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers could be considered their primary talisman, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, five years ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that his opponent was uncomfortable, and instructed his winger to start wide, cut in and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games consecutively for the initial occasion under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – 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). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were superior for large periods without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, the Brazilian scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. Since his arrival in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a glaring absence of finesse in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that Everton were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He explained the players asked to take a day off after their recent victory but he declined because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. He explained how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from good service boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, following a rash challenge, was a major worry for Arne Slot and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Slot’s team having snuck up on the top four, putting together a string of positive results featuring 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 complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations 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 failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss 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 defender the leeway informed by past incidents for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a respected pundit was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. 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 joy for the Bees' boss. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving only pride at stake beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
