1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? One must ask. Villa's run of victories was extended versus Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. On paper, they were second best by several measures – fewer shots (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, statistical models painted a different picture: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 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 have all three. Villa's emerging star might just be their only star, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. The Villa manager is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, that was probably because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, combining effectively.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games in a row for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Their keeper provided stability, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and there was a positive mood. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever seeming like taking three points. Yes, their forward scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.
3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory
It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that Everton sat fifth in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted 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 world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period Pep Guardiola will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. Guardiola said the team wanted to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – 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 fleeting moment, like a statement. This was exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a significant blow for the Dutch coach and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Slot’s team having quietly moved into the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The numerous points Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Their manager certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Howe was surely correct to highlight 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 penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by past incidents for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes simulating? The take of a well-known analyst was revealing. “Gordon’s waiting,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”
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 expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
