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

Do the final scores tell the whole story? That is the question. Villa's run of victories persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – less attempts (12-15), less possession (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, astute coaching and sparkling skill – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star could be considered their sole standout, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. Unai Emery is wily, battle-hardened, five years ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to begin on the flank, cut in and exploit the space. Individual brilliance and coaching, working together.

2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers

When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games in a row for the initial occasion under the Portuguese coach. Their position climbed to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at home, facing a team fresh from the Championship, but still – a routine shutout). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six disappointing results. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored an excellent finish, but he also blazed over a simple chance. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to claim three points.

3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit

It was an evening fixture on the Saturday before Christmas but a noticeable shortage of fluency in the final third made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is remarkable that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table two weeks earlier given they have played the entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and their manager, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the flaw should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. The manager claimed that victories will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.

4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations

During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. He revealed his squad requested to have a rest day after their 3-0 triumph but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So it's recovery, training for the squad players, and after three days off, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. He explained how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family for celebrations. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is excellent.”

5. A Costly Goal: Isak's Injury Mars Liverpool Win

The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to decide close contests with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the calmness with which he finished from good service boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for Arne Slot and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results highlighted by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.

6. Penalty Debate Rages After Newcastle Draw

Managers often lament debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The significant tally Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem overly keen to mention that costly trend following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet Newcastle’s manager 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 12-yard award could have swung the momentum. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? Comments by a former England striker was interesting. “Gordon’s waiting,” he said. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the force and aggression there … that’s not shielding the ball.”

7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality

Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly