1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. The Villans' triumphant run continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). As usual, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: according to data United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, astute coaching and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. The young forward could be considered their only star, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. The Spanish tactician is crafty, battle-hardened, five years ahead of his counterpart. If Rogers profited 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 start wide, move infield and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, combining effectively.
2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short
Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans began to believe again. They managed three league games on the bounce for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – an untroubled victory). Senne Lammens looked solid, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. In a run of eight matches, two wins, six disappointing results. Against Aston Villa they were superior for large periods without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to key players), but they gave away cheap scores. Since his arrival 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 Saturday before Christmas but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he relished a hard-fought three points and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
On Christmas Day the City manager will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said the team wanted to take a day off after their recent victory but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then brief training for the next fixture. Guardiola detailed how improvements can be made. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool invested heavily for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he finished from a neat pass boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, following a reckless attempt, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with Liverpool having quietly moved into the upper echelons, putting together a six-game unbeaten run featuring Isak’s first Premier League goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear tied up with those of their prize asset.
6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw
Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Howe was surely right to question a decision made by the match officials 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 altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being skilled at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? Analysis from a respected pundit was notable. “He anticipates the contact,” was the analysis. “He's prepared for the impact and he's ready. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving only pride at stake beyond pride. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
