1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist
Are match outcomes be misleading? That is the question. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the nagging doubts. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, statistical models was unimpressed: analysis indicates United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star might just be their primary talisman, but he is performing as a timely gift. Unai Emery is shrewd, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, move infield and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games consecutively for the maiden instance under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United went back to black. In a run of eight matches, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they were punished for defensive errors. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to win consistently.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an 8pm kick-off on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that Everton sat fifth in the table recently given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the problem should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed 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 exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
Over the festive period the City manager will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their 3-0 triumph but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then 48 hours of preparation for the upcoming match. The manager outlined how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he clipped in from good service was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution 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 an extraordinary talent hit full tilt again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having snuck up on the top four, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s inability to hold onto 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 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 leeway informed by the player's history for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a well-known analyst was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality
Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
