1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? One must ask. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the nagging doubts. Statistically, they were inferior by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers could be considered their only star, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. The Villa manager is wily, experienced, five years ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from a positional error, it was likely because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and told Rogers to start wide, move infield and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans felt optimism return. They managed 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 side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. 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 gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to win consistently.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton sat fifth in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the deficiency should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City
Over the festive period the City manager will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He explained the players asked to take a day off after their latest win but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I’m good at reading 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 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, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he converted from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he likely faces a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Slot’s team having snuck up on the upper echelons, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear heavily dependent on those of their £125m investment.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often lament debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem too willing to mention that costly trend following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely right to question a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the defender the leeway informed by Gordon’s reputation for being skilled at earning fouls and sometimes simulating? Comments by a respected pundit was interesting. “He sees the challenge coming,” came the observation. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at overwhelmingly high, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
