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1. The Villa Heist: Rogers & Emery's Masterclass

Are match outcomes tell the whole story? One must ask. Villa's run of victories continued against Manchester United, alongside the lingering concerns. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – less attempts (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), fewer big chances (2-3). Once again, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, expected goals (xG) sided with the opposition: reports suggest United had the slight advantage 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are decided on the pitch, not on spreadsheets. They are won by collective effort, tactical brilliance and sparkling skill – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star might just be their primary talisman, but he is performing as a timely gift. Unai Emery is wily, battle-hardened, streets ahead of his counterpart. Should Rogers have benefited from a positional error, that was probably because Emery had spotted that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to take up a wide position, move infield and torment him. Individual brilliance and coaching, combining effectively.

2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United

Back in October after defeating Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games in a row for the initial occasion under Ruben Amorim. They ascended to fourth. And the wins were impressive victories – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at home, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Senne Lammens looked solid, Bryan Mbeumo offered threat and morale was high. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, only two victories, six games without a win. In the recent fixture they were superior for large periods without ever looking like winning. Yes, their forward scored a fine effort, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were hit by fitness issues (to influential figures), but they conceded soft goals. Following over a year in England, Amorim still hasn’t worked out how to secure victories.

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 forgettable match. For Everton, the issue was predictable with offensive players absent, and Jack Grealish failing to inspire an entire team by himself. In many respects it is surprising that David Moyes’s side were in fifth place in the table not long ago given they have played all term without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he relished a hard-fought three points and a return to the top of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their ambitions for the Premier League. The manager claimed that winning margins will inevitably be more emphatic with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving quality substitutes on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.

4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions

On Christmas Day Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not enjoyed excessive celebrations. Guardiola said his squad requested to take a day off 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 post-holiday, then brief training for the next fixture. He explained how they can get better. “I’m good at reading what happens in the game, locating the gaps – if the players were in these positions, we could generate more chances.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family to relax. I'm going to Barcelona – I recommend it, the food is superb.”

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

Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, as a turning point. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to break tight games with his clever positioning and composure, and the assurance with which he finished from a neat pass boded superbly. So the sight of him departing immediately, the victim of a reckless attempt, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see an extraordinary talent perform at his best again. Reports suggest Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a extended spell on the sidelines. It would be a significant setback with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the top four, putting together a solid undefeated streak highlighted by Isak’s initial goals in their colours. Their prospects appear tied up with 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 want to keep private. The significant tally Newcastle have dropped from winning positions this season is a prime example. The Newcastle boss certainly did not seem particularly eager to mention that costly trend following his side’s inability to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they eventually tied. Yet Newcastle’s manager was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the on-field referee and VAR not to award his team a penalty following a blatant body check on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by the player's history for being very clever at winning penalties and sometimes simulating? The take of a well-known analyst was interesting. “He anticipates the contact,” he said. “He's prepared for the impact and he braces for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact there … that’s not shielding the ball.”

7. Wolves' Grim Relegation Reality

Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. Rather than celebrate, Andrews sympathised with Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; Opta state – perhaps generously – their likelihood of the drop at 99.17%, leaving nothing to play for beyond pride. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly