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

Can results be misleading? That is the question. The Villans' triumphant run continued against Manchester United, accompanied by the nagging doubts. They were the lesser team by several measures – a lower shot count (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), not as many golden opportunities (2-3). Typically, the victory was tightly contested. In keeping with form, statistical models was unimpressed: according to data United were narrowly ahead 1.31-1.02. However, supporters understand games are not won by xG. They are won by solid teamwork, shrewd management and moments of magic – and Villa have all three. Morgan Rogers may be their primary talisman, but he’s delivering as a timely gift. The Villa manager is crafty, battle-hardened, five years ahead of the United boss. The fact Rogers took advantage from a positional error, this was almost certainly because the manager identified that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to start wide, drive inside and torment him. Talent and management, in perfect harmony.

2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United

When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 on 25 October, their fans rediscovered hope. They had won three league games in a row for the maiden instance under their manager. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a side they often struggle against), Liverpool (away!) and Sunderland (in front of their own fans, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). Senne Lammens looked solid, their forward line sparked and optimism was growing. But then United returned to poor form. Eight games, two wins, six disappointing results. At Villa Park they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also missed a sitter. Yes, United were unlucky with injuries (to influential figures), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to claim three points.

3. Arsenal Grind Out a Vital Victory

It was an evening fixture on the festive weekend but a distinct lack of quality in the opposition box made for a forgettable match. For Everton, the issue came as no surprise with creative forces absent, and Jack Grealish struggling to lift an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that Everton were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played the entire season without a proven goalscorer. For Arsenal and the Spanish coach, while he enjoyed a merited victory and ascending to the summit of the table, the problem should be of similar concern given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that positive results will inevitably be more emphatic with dedication and persistence. But it is a little early in the season for a team that can start with elite players, while leaving exciting options on the bench, to be dependent on scrappy victories.

4. Guardiola’s Festive City Investigations

Over the festive period Pep Guardiola will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not overdone the festive fare. He revealed his squad requested to take a day off after their recent victory but he declined because their display lacked quality. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, work for those who didn't feature, and after three days off, then brief training for the Nottingham Forest game. The manager outlined how they can get better. “I excel at analyzing what happens in the game, where are the spaces – if the players were in the right areas, we could create more.” Guardiola will also enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family and champagne. A trip to Barcelona is planned – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”

5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment

The Swedish striker's finish at Tottenham felt, for a glorious few seconds, like an arrival. This was exactly what Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to unlock stubborn defences with his movement and range of finishing, and the assurance with which he clipped in from an incisive ball boded superbly. So the image of him leaving immediately, the victim of a ill-judged tackle, was a major worry for the Dutch coach and disappointing for the spectator who would like to see a top-class forward reach his peak again. There are fears Isak has sustained a fractured leg and he could be in for a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with the Reds having quietly moved into the top four, putting together a string of positive results highlighted by Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their campaign trajectory appear tied up with those of their prize asset.

6. Did Chelsea Get Away with One?

Managers often moan about debatable rulings as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they would prefer were not talked about. The numerous points Newcastle have squandered when ahead this season is a prime example. Their manager certainly did not seem too willing to mention that unfortunate habit following his side’s collapse from a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in a game they had to settle for a point in. Yet the Magpies' boss was surely right to question 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 Chelsea defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being expert at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a former England striker was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He expects the tackle and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the strength of the challenge there … that’s not shielding the ball.”

7. Statistical Doom for Struggling Wolves

Brentford’s first away win this season spelled relief for the Bees' boss. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews spoke kindly about Wolves, the club he came through at. “I spent nine years here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is beyond dire; statistical models state – possibly kindly – their chances of relegation at overwhelmingly high, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond professionalism. A veteran player brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly