1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? That is the question. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. As usual, the xG metric sided with the opposition: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. The young forward may be their primary talisman, but he is performing with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, significantly more advanced of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games consecutively for the first time 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 (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six games without a win. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, the Brazilian scored a fine effort, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an 8pm kick-off on the Saturday before Christmas but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he relished a hard-fought three points and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be equally concerning given their designs on the Premier League. Arteta insisted that winning margins will inevitably grow more comfortable with hard work and perseverance. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
During the holidays Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to have a rest day after their recent victory but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. 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. He explained how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he clipped in from good service boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The 13 points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen 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 match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a 12-yard award could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by past incidents for being skilled at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Comments by a respected pundit was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
