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1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist

Are match outcomes be misleading? It's a valid query. Villa's run of victories was extended versus Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. Statistically, they were inferior by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric was unimpressed: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa boast the complete package. Villa's emerging star might just be their sole standout, but his contributions are coming like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is shrewd, experienced, streets ahead of the United boss. If Rogers profited from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro is not a right-back, and directed his attacker to start wide, move infield and torment him. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.

2. Amorim Continues to Fall Short

Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans felt optimism return. They had won three league games on the bounce for the initial occasion under Ruben Amorim. They had risen 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, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and optimism was growing. But then United went back to black. Over the next eight fixtures, only two victories, six games without a win. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a fine effort, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to key players), but they conceded soft goals. Since his arrival in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.

3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind

It was an 8pm kick-off on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the attacking areas made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and the experienced winger struggling to lift an entire team on his own. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table not long ago given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the flaw should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. He stated that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with graft and determination. But it is fairly soon in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be relying on grinding out wins.

4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations

During the holidays Pep Guardiola will check the weights 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 he refused because the performance was insufficient. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, sessions for the fringe men, and post-holiday, then 48 hours of preparation for the Nottingham Forest game. The manager outlined how improvements can be made. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in these positions, we could generate more chances.” The boss also plans to enjoy a rest: “I'm taking a break with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”

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

The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, as a turning point. This was exactly what Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to decide close contests with his clever positioning and composure, and the confidence with which he converted from an incisive ball was highly promising. So the scene of his substitution immediately, due to a ill-judged tackle, was a significant blow for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see such a gifted player reach his peak again. It is believed Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear heavily dependent on those of their prize asset.

6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea

Managers often moan about controversial calls as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The 13 points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season appears relevant. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem too willing to mention that costly trend following his side’s inability to hold onto 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 match officials not to award his team a penalty following a clear obstruction on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by the player's history for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a former England striker was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he's ready. 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 initial success on their travels this season spelled joy for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he joined at 16. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – perhaps generously – their probability of going down at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly