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1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist

Do the final scores be misleading? That is the question. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, but so did the nagging doubts. On paper, they were second best by multiple metrics – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was by a narrow margin. In keeping with form, the xG metric was unimpressed: according to data United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and sparkling skill – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers might just be their sole standout, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. The Villa manager is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, that was probably 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. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.

2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short

When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (one of their many bogey teams), Liverpool (on the road!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Over the next eight fixtures, two wins, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the more dominant side without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they conceded soft goals. 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 a late Saturday start on the Saturday before Christmas but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish unable to spark an entire team on his own. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees occupied a European spot in the table not long ago given they have played the entire season without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and their manager, while he savoured a deserved win and reclaiming first place of the table, the deficiency should be equally concerning given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.

4. Pep's Christmas Weight Watch at City

On Christmas Day the City manager will conduct fitness tests to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He explained the players asked to enjoy a break after their recent victory but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, work for those who didn't feature, and post-holiday, then brief training for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Guardiola will also 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 top.”

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

Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was precisely the reason Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he clipped in from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, the victim of a rash challenge, 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 suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Slot’s team having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear inextricably linked to those of their record signing.

6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea

Managers often complain about debatable rulings as a means of shifting the focus from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season seems a case in point. Eddie Howe certainly did not seem too willing to mention that costly trend following his side’s failure to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely justified in criticising 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 spot-kick could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being skilled at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a former England striker was notable. “He sees the challenge coming,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … it constitutes a foul.”

7. A 99.17% Certainty

Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled a welcome result for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “My formative years were here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; data analysts state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly