1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Are match outcomes be misleading? That is the question. The Villans' triumphant run persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by several measures – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: reports suggest United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by solid teamwork, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. The young forward might just be their primary talisman, but he is performing as a timely gift. The Villa manager is wily, experienced, five years ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, move infield and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games consecutively for the maiden instance under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, the Brazilian scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to secure victories.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was expected with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table not long ago given they have played all term 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 equally concerning given their designs on the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results 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 quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed the players asked to take a day off after their latest win but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. The manager outlined how improvements can be made. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, 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 major worry for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Slot’s team having snuck up on the upper echelons, putting together a six-game unbeaten run bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet the Magpies' boss 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 opposing player the doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a well-known analyst was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he started his career with. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving nothing to play for beyond pride. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
