1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Are match outcomes be misleading? One must ask. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, but so did the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. As usual, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: 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 collective effort, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. The young forward may be their primary talisman, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, streets ahead of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed 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 (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Their keeper provided stability, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United went back to black. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. After 13 months in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to claim three points.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the deficiency should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results 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 talented players 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 overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to have a rest day after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and following a short break, then brief training for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “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 a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to decide close contests with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he clipped in from a neat pass boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight 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 12-yard award could have changed the narrative. 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 simulating? Comments by a former England striker was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he’s waiting for it. 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 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 truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond pride. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
