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1. Rogers and Emery Combine for Heist

Do the final scores sometimes deceive? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak persisted with a win over Manchester United, alongside the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), less possession (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. As usual, the xG metric sided with the opposition: analysis indicates United edged it 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and moments of magic – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star might just be their sole standout, but he is performing like Father Christmas. Unai Emery is wily, seasoned, streets ahead of the United boss. Should Rogers have benefited from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and told Rogers to take up a wide position, cut in and torment him. Skill and strategy, combining effectively.

2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers

When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They had won three league games on the bounce for the first time under the Portuguese coach. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were all good ones – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – an untroubled victory). Their keeper provided stability, their forward line sparked and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six games without a win. Against Aston Villa they were the more dominant side without ever appearing likely to triumph. Yes, the Brazilian scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to influential figures), but they gave away cheap scores. After 13 months in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.

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 drab affair. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with key attackers absent, and their star man unable to spark an entire team by himself. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the entire season without a decent striker. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the flaw should be of similar concern given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that winning margins will inevitably become bigger with graft and determination. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.

4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations

On Christmas Day 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 3-0 triumph but he refused because their display lacked quality. So they will recuperate, sessions for the fringe men, and following a short break, then brief training for the next fixture. Guardiola detailed how they can get better. “My strength is deciphering 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 have holidays with the family and champagne. I'll visit Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is superb.”

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 invested heavily for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his intelligent runs and finishing ability, and the calmness with which he clipped in from good service boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see such a gifted player hit full tilt again. It is believed Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a lengthy period on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having quietly moved into the top four, putting together a six-game unbeaten run highlighted by Isak’s initial 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 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 ended up drawing. Yet Howe was surely justified in criticising 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 altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the opposing player the leeway informed by the player's history for being skilled at earning fouls and sometimes exaggerating? The take of a respected pundit was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” was the analysis. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he’s ready to go down. But the force and aggression there … it constitutes a foul.”

7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves

Brentford’s initial success on their travels this season spelled a welcome result for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he started his career with. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; Opta state – maybe optimistically – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving nothing to play for beyond honour. A experienced defender brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly