1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United
Do the final scores be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run was extended versus Manchester United, but so did the persistent questions. Statistically, they were inferior by a number of key indicators – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. Villa's emerging star may be their sole standout, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. Unai Emery is shrewd, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, move infield and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.
2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games on the bounce for the first time under their manager. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. Against Aston Villa they were the better team without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, their forward scored an excellent finish, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they gave away cheap scores. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.
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 came as no surprise with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side 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 deficiency should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with hard work and perseverance. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions
Over the festive period the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He explained the team wanted to enjoy a break after their latest win but he refused because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the next fixture. He explained how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could generate more chances.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's highly recommended, the food is superb.”
5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment
Alexander Isak’s goal 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 confidence with which he clipped in from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, following a ill-judged tackle, was a huge concern for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a solid undefeated streak bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.
6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea
Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. 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 costly trend following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. 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 Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at winning penalties and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a well-known analyst was notable. “Gordon’s waiting,” was the analysis. “He expects the tackle and he braces for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”
7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves
Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly
