1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Do the final scores be misleading? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by several measures – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. Morgan Rogers might just be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. The Spanish tactician is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, drive inside and cause him problems. Skill and strategy, in perfect harmony.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games consecutively for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to win consistently.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was a late Saturday start on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was expected with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and their manager, while he savoured a deserved win and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said the team wanted to enjoy a break after their latest win but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So it's recovery, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is superb.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he converted from a neat pass was highly promising. So the sight of him departing 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 an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about controversial calls as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 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 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 on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check 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 leeway informed by Gordon’s reputation for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He expects the tackle and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews expressed empathy for 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 probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
