1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Can results be misleading? It's a valid query. The Villans' triumphant run was extended versus Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric 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 cohesive units, astute coaching and individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers might just be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. The Villa manager is wily, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of his counterpart. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, move infield and torment him. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games in a row for the initial occasion under the Portuguese coach. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six games without a win. At Villa Park they were superior for large periods without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to claim three points.
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 opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table not long ago given they have played all term without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he savoured a deserved win and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories 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 needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said the team wanted to have a rest day after their latest win but the request was denied because their display lacked quality. So it's recovery, work for those who didn't feature, and after three days off, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's a great city, 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, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the calmness with which he finished from a neat pass looked extremely positive. So the scene of his substitution immediately, due to a rash challenge, was a significant blow for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their record signing.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often moan about controversial calls as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely right to question a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a former England striker was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the force and aggression 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 the Bees' boss. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
