1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Can results sometimes deceive? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, statistical models sided with the opposition: 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 solid teamwork, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star may be their only star, but he is performing as a timely gift. The Villa manager is crafty, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, cut in and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They had won three league games consecutively for the initial occasion under the Portuguese coach. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, only two victories, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, their forward 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 claim three points.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the Saturday before Christmas but a glaring absence of finesse in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that Everton sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably grow more comfortable with dedication and persistence. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So it's recovery, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “I excel at analyzing 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 will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he converted from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, was a major worry for Arne Slot and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having snuck up on the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often lament contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The numerous points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe 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 the Magpies' boss was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by past incidents for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes going down too easily? Comments by a well-known analyst was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled relief for their manager. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
