🔗 Share this article

1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist

Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. The Villans' triumphant run persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by several measures – less attempts (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, statistical models was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. Unai Emery is wily, experienced, significantly more advanced of Ruben Amorim. If Rogers profited from a defensive lapse, it was likely because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, move infield and exploit the space. Skill and strategy, working together.

2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short

Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United went back to black. In a run of eight matches, a mere pair of successes, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they conceded soft goals. Since his arrival in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.

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 final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, 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 designs on the Premier League. He stated that positive results 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 elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.

4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations

Over the festive period Pep Guardiola will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said his squad requested to take a day off after their latest win but the request was denied because their display lacked quality. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is superb.”

5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win

The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like a statement. This was exactly what Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from good service was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player perform at his best again. It is believed Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.

6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?

Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season appears relevant. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Howe was surely justified in criticising a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at earning fouls and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a respected pundit was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … that’s not shielding the ball.”

7. A 99.17% Certainty

Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly