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

Are match outcomes be misleading? One must ask. The Villans' triumphant run persisted with a win over Manchester United, but so did the persistent questions. They were the lesser team by a number of key indicators – fewer shots (12-15), reduced ball control (43-57), a scarcity of clear opportunities (2-3). Once again, the victory was by a narrow margin. Consistently, the xG metric was unimpressed: reports suggest United edged it 1.31-1.02. But, as every fan knows games are determined by more than statistics. They are won by cohesive units, tactical brilliance and individual talent – and Villa possess each ingredient. Villa's emerging star could be considered their sole standout, but he’s delivering with festive regularity. The Spanish tactician is shrewd, battle-hardened, five years ahead of Ruben Amorim. Should Rogers have benefited from a defensive lapse, this was almost certainly because Emery had spotted that Yoro is not a right-back, and instructed his winger to take up a wide position, move infield and torment him. Talent and management, working together.

2. Persistent Problems for Amorim's United

When Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 in late October, their fans began to believe again. They secured three league games consecutively for the first time under Ruben Amorim. They had risen to fourth. And the wins were solid results – over Brighton (a traditionally tricky opponent), Liverpool (at Anfield!) and Sunderland (at Old Trafford, against a promoted club, but still – a comfortable clean sheet). The goalkeeper was reassuring, the attack was exciting and optimism was growing. But then United slipped into a slump. Eight games, only two victories, six missed opportunities. In the recent fixture they were the better team without ever looking like winning. Yes, Matheus Cunha scored a good goal, but he also failed to convert a golden opportunity. Yes, United were cursed by absentees (to important midfielders), but they were punished for defensive errors. After 13 months in England, the manager has yet to solve how to win consistently.

3. Arteta's Men Win Ugly to Return to the Summit

It was a late Saturday start on the festive weekend but a glaring absence of finesse in the final third made for a sobering evening. For Everton, the issue was expected with key attackers absent, and their star man failing to inspire an entire team single-handedly. In many respects it is surprising that the Toffees were in fifth place in the table recently given they have played all term without a decent striker. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, while he enjoyed a merited victory and reclaiming first place of the table, the deficiency should be equally concerning given their title aspirations in the Premier League. Arteta insisted that victories will inevitably become bigger with hard work and perseverance. But it is somewhat premature in the season for a team that can start with world-class talents, while leaving talented players on the bench, to be needing to win ugly.

4. Guardiola's Strict Festive Regime for Champions

On Christmas Day the Catalan coach will check the weights to ensure his Manchester City players have not indulged too much. He revealed his squad requested to have a rest day after their latest win but the request was denied because they didn’t play good enough. So the schedule involves rehabilitation, training for the squad players, and following a short break, then two days to prepare for the upcoming match. Guardiola detailed how the side can improve. “My strength is deciphering what happens in the game, identifying weaknesses – if the players were in optimal spots, we could create more.” Pep also intends to enjoy a rest: “I have holidays with the family to relax. I'll visit Barcelona – it's a great city, the food is excellent.”

5. Isak’s Injury Overshadows Big Moment

Isak's clinical effort at Tottenham felt, for a brief instant, like an arrival. This was the very purpose Liverpool splashed the cash for him to do, to decide close contests with his movement and range of finishing, and the calmness with which he finished from an incisive ball looked extremely positive. So the image of him leaving 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 reach his peak again. Reports suggest Isak has picked up a serious leg injury and he probably endures a long time on the sidelines. It would be a major blow with Liverpool having snuck up on the top four, putting together a string of positive results featuring Isak’s maiden league strikes in their colours. Their fortunes this season appear inextricably linked to those of their £125m investment.

6. A Contentious Call Saves Chelsea

Managers often moan about contentious refereeing decisions as a means of deflecting media attention from matters they wish to avoid discussing. The numerous points Newcastle have failed to secure from leading situations this season seems a case in point. 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 correct to highlight a decision made by the referee not to award his team a penalty following a obvious foul on the England international. With the score then 2-1, a penalty could have altered the outcome. Was the decision to offer the defender the benefit of considerable doubt informed by Gordon’s reputation for being very clever at drawing contact and sometimes going down too easily? The take of a well-known analyst was revealing. “He anticipates the contact,” came the observation. “He knows the challenge is coming and he’s waiting for it. I think he intends to hit the deck. But the nature of the contact there … it's more than just defending.”

7. A 99.17% Certainty

Brentford’s maiden victory on the road this season spelled relief for Keith Andrews. More than just enjoying the victory, Andrews expressed empathy for Wolves, the club he started his career with. “A large chunk of my life was here,” he said. Wolves’ situation is increasingly desperate; Opta state – possibly kindly – their likelihood of the drop at virtually certain, leaving little tangible to fight for beyond honour. A senior professional brutally spelled out|bluntly outlined|frankly