Ten Talking Points from the Recent Premier League Action
1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass
Do the final scores sometimes deceive? It's a valid query. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. On paper, they were second best by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by solid teamwork, astute coaching and sparkling skill – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star could be considered their only star, but his contributions are coming as a timely gift. The Villa manager is shrewd, experienced, streets ahead of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro was playing out of position, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, move infield and torment him. Skill and strategy, working together.
2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers
When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans rediscovered hope. 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 solid results – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a routine shutout). Their keeper provided stability, the attack was exciting and there was a positive mood. But then United returned to poor form. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were superior for large periods without ever looking like winning. Yes, the Brazilian scored an excellent finish, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, the coach continues to struggle with how to win consistently.
3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit
It was an 8pm kick-off on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that Everton sat fifth in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.
4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations
Over the festive period the City manager will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. Guardiola said the team wanted to enjoy a break after their latest win but he declined because the performance was insufficient. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could be more potent.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I will be on vacation with the family for celebrations. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”
5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win
Alexander Isak’s goal at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was the very purpose 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 finished from good service was highly promising. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, 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 likely faces a long time on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with Liverpool having quietly moved into the Champions League places, 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 £125m investment.
6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?
Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of diverting the narrative from matters they want to keep private. 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 eventually tied. Yet the Magpies' boss 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 the England international. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the leeway informed by past incidents for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a well-known analyst was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”
7. A 99.17% Certainty
Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for their manager. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; data analysts state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving only pride at stake beyond professionalism. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly