1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Can results be misleading? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. Consistently, the xG metric sided with the opposition: analysis indicates United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa boast the complete package. Morgan Rogers could be considered their only star, but he is performing as a timely gift. The Villa manager is wily, seasoned, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, that was probably because the manager identified that his opponent was uncomfortable, and told Rogers to start wide, cut in and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to key players), but they conceded soft goals. After 13 months in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind
It was an evening fixture on the holiday period but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team on his own. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
On Christmas Day the Catalan coach 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 the request was denied because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then two days to prepare for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a fleeting moment, like a statement. This was precisely the reason Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to decide close contests with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the assurance with which he finished from good service was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, following a rash challenge, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and frustrating for fans who would like to see a top-class forward perform at his best again. There are fears 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 Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often moan about controversial calls as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season seems a case in point. Their manager certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that problematic pattern 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 justified in criticising a decision made by the match officials 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 swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Analysis from a respected pundit was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled relief for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he started his career with. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving only pride at stake beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
