1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. As usual, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: according to data 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, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but he’s delivering like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is crafty, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, it was likely because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, drive inside and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They had won three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under their manager. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to influential figures), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was a late Saturday start on the festive weekend but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees occupied a European spot in the table recently 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 just as worrying given their designs on the Premier League. The manager claimed that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said the players asked to have a rest day after their recent victory but he declined because their display lacked quality. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the assurance with which he clipped in from good service boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, 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 sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they want to keep private. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Howe was surely correct to highlight 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 spot-kick could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being expert at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a former England striker was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
