1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Can results be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run continued against Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric 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 cohesive units, shrewd management and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Morgan Rogers might just be their only star, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. The Spanish tactician is crafty, experienced, streets ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, it was likely because the manager identified that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, cut in and exploit the space. Talent and management, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans felt optimism return. They secured three league games in a row for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United went back to black. Eight games, only two victories, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were superior for large periods without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.
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 attacking areas made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and their star man struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees occupied a European spot in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
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 team wanted to take a day off after their latest win but the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So it's recovery, work for those who didn't feature, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the next fixture. He explained how improvements can be made. “My strength is deciphering 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. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is top.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like a statement. This was exactly what Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to break tight games with his movement and range of finishing, and the confidence with which he finished from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, due to a reckless attempt, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. It is believed Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their £125m investment.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often lament debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the doubt informed by the player's history for being expert at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? Comments by a well-known analyst was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he braces for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s first away win 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; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
