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

Are match outcomes sometimes deceive? One must ask. Aston Villa's winning streak continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by multiple metrics – less attempts (12-15), a smaller share of the ball (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). As usual, the victory was a slender one. In keeping with form, the xG metric painted a different picture: analysis indicates United edged it 1.31-1.02. Yet the reality is games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers may be their sole standout, but his contributions are coming with festive regularity. Unai Emery is wily, seasoned, five years ahead of his counterpart. The fact Rogers took advantage from Leny Yoro’s naivety, this was almost certainly because the coach had detected that Yoro was playing out of position, and directed his attacker to start wide, drive inside and exploit the space. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.

2. The Amorim Conundrum: Still Searching for Answers

Following United's victory over Brighton 4-2 last month, their fans felt optimism return. They had won 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 traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, versus a newly-promoted side, but still – an untroubled victory). The goalkeeper was reassuring, their forward line sparked and there was a positive mood. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, a mere pair of successes, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the more dominant side 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 important midfielders), but they were punished for defensive errors. Following over a year in England, the manager has yet to solve how to secure victories.

3. Below-Par Gunners Get on Their Grind

It was a late Saturday start on the holiday period but a glaring absence of finesse in the opposition box made for a drab affair. For Everton, the issue was predictable with key attackers absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is astonishing that David Moyes’s side sat fifth in the table not long ago given they have played all term without a reliable number nine. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he savoured a deserved win and ascending to the summit of the table, the problem should be just as worrying given their designs on the Premier League. He stated that victories will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with international stars, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.

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. He revealed the team wanted to take a day off after their 3-0 triumph but he refused because they didn’t play good enough. So they will recuperate, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then 48 hours of preparation for the next fixture. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I’m good at reading 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 and champagne. I'm going to Barcelona – it's highly recommended, the food is excellent.”

5. Liverpool's Joy Tempered by Isak Blow

Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like a statement. This was the very purpose Liverpool paid all that money for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his clever positioning and composure, and the calmness with which he clipped in from a neat pass boded superbly. So the scene of his substitution immediately, due to a rash challenge, was a huge concern for the Liverpool manager and a shame for any neutral who would like to see a top-class forward hit full tilt again. There are fears Isak has suffered a broken leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a huge loss with the Reds having steadily climbed towards the upper echelons, putting together a string of positive results bookended by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their prize asset.

6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?

Managers often complain 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 appears relevant. Their manager certainly did not seem too willing to mention that problematic pattern following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they ended up drawing. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely correct to highlight a decision made by the match officials not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on their winger. With the score then 2-1, a spot-kick could have changed the narrative. Was the decision to offer the Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by past incidents for being skilled at winning penalties and sometimes exaggerating? Comments by a former England striker was revealing. “He sees the challenge coming,” came the observation. “He's prepared for the impact and he’s waiting for it. I think he's looking for the foul. But the nature of the contact 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. Instead of reveling in the win, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is truly alarming; Opta state – perhaps generously – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond pride. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly