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1. A Tactical Coup: How Rogers and Emery Outfoxed United

Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? That is the question. The Villans' triumphant run was extended versus Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, expected goals (xG) was unimpressed: according to data United edged it 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are not won by xG. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa have all three. The young forward could be considered their only star, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is wily, battle-hardened, significantly more advanced of Ruben Amorim. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, it was likely because the coach had detected that Yoro is not a right-back, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, move infield and cause him problems. Individual brilliance and coaching, combining effectively.

2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers

Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, 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 impressive victories – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a routine shutout). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat 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. At Villa Park they were the better team 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 unlucky with injuries (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to claim three points.

3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind

It was an evening fixture on the holiday period but a distinct lack of quality in the attacking areas made for a drab affair. 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 surprising that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the whole campaign without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that positive results will inevitably become bigger with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.

4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City

During the holidays the Catalan coach will monitor the scales to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed the team wanted to enjoy a break after their recent victory but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and post-holiday, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. He explained how the side can improve. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family for celebrations. I'll visit Barcelona – 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 fleeting moment, as a turning point. This was exactly what Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the calmness with which he clipped in from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, 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 suffered a broken leg and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having snuck up on the Champions League places, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.

6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?

Managers often complain about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of shifting the focus from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season is a prime example. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that unfortunate habit 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 on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on Anthony Gordon. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have swung the momentum. 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 simulating? Analysis from a respected pundit was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the strength of the challenge there … it's more than just defending.”

7. A 99.17% Certainty

Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for their manager. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their probability of going down at 99.17%, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly