Imagine a soccer weekend where underdogs rise like phoenixes, title contenders stumble dramatically, and goals fly in ways that leave fans gasping—welcome to the thrilling chaos of the Premier League and Serie A! But here's where it gets controversial: Is this just a fleeting blip, or are we witnessing seismic shifts in the battle for supremacy? Dive in with me as we unpack the weekend's drama, from Aston Villa's fairy-tale resurgence to Inter Milan's risky conservatism, and beyond. And this is the part most people miss: How these moments could redefine the season's narrative for years to come.
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Gabriele Marcotti, December 29, 2025, 07:06 AM ET
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Gabriele Marcotti serves as a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com. Check out his archive here (https://www.espn.com/search/_/type/articles/q/marcotti) and follow him on Twitter: @Marcotti (https://twitter.com/Marcotti).
The holiday schedule is in full gear, yet while many of Europe's elite leagues are paused for a winter hiatus, the English Premier League (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league//name/ENG.1) and Italy's Serie A (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league//name/ITA.1) delivered a bounty of excitement. (The Africa Cup of Nations (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/CAF.NATIONS), which launched last weekend, also had its share of intrigue.) To begin, Aston Villa (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=362)'s stunning comeback victory over Chelsea (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=363) showcased a clash among top-tier squads, potentially catapulting Unai Emery's team into a title chase alongside Arsenal (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=359) and Manchester City (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=382).
Across the Alps in Italy (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=162), Inter Milan scraped by Atalanta (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=105) with a slim 1-0 triumph, but they'll need to elevate their performance significantly to clinch the Scudetto convincingly. (That being said, with Christian Pulisic (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/284960/christian-pulisic) sizzling in outstanding form for AC Milan (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=103), anticipate a nail-biting title duel that could extend to the wire.) Meanwhile, conversation buzzed around Tottenham (a rare victory for them!), Liverpool (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=364) (Florian Wirtz (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/284960/florian-wirtz) notched a goal!), Cristiano Ronaldo (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/284960/cristiano-ronaldo) (his scoring streak endures), Arsenal (David Raya (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/261328/david-raya) shone brightly!), and countless other highlights.
It's Monday morning—perfect for some reflective pondering. Let's delve right in.
- Ranked: 25 of the best kits from the 21st century (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46951432/modern-classics-25-best-kits-21st-century)
- Lindop: Wirtz finally scores, but Liverpool still need work (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47427041/wirtzs-first-goal-gives-liverpool-win-wolves-crucial)
- Ian Darke's PL team of the season so far (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47406402/ian-darke-premier-league-best-xi-rice-szoboszlai-haaland)
Aston Villa extends their win streak to 11, but credit must go to Chelsea's collapse too...
Inevitably, it seems. You're leading 1-0 at home, haven't allowed a single attempt until halftime, yet somehow surrender a 2-1 defeat. When scenarios like this unfold, it's not solely due to Aston Villa's powerful finish or Unai Emery's uncanny knack for impactful substitutions—almost magical, right?
Chelsea might dwell on their squandered first-half chances or the penalty shout when the ball brushed Ian Maatsen's (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/284960/ian-maatsen) arm. Sure, perhaps those would have secured the win, but they don't account for the late unraveling either.
Managing only four shots in the second half—three blocked—is unacceptable in such a high-stakes encounter. Enzo Maresca is extracting every ounce from his squad, yet certain realities can't be ignored.
The rotating lineup flanking Trevoh Chalobah (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/298349/trevoh-chalobah) disrupts the defense's cohesion and reliability. The midfield pairing of Moisés Caicedo (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/261328/moises-caicedo) and Enzo Fernández (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/323110/enzo-fernandez) could be overwhelmed unless Caicedo channels his superhero persona regularly, which he often does but not consistently. Up top, João Pedro (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/180639/joao-pedro) operates as a secondary striker or playmaker, while Liam Delap (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/239350/liam-delap) struggles through a tough campaign. They might suffice if the wide attackers delivered goals routinely, but excluding Pedro Neto (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/298349/pedro-neto), the remaining trio has just two league goals between them. Cole Palmer (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/261328/cole-palmer) masked many flaws last season; now, hindered by injuries, he's more fallible, and Chelsea is suffering the consequences.
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Maresca: Chelsea need to improve reaction to conceding goals
Enzo Maresca reacts to Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
For Villa, Emery appears visionary because his bench moves succeeded. They clicked, with Ollie Watkins (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/231828/ollie-watkins) netting the pair of goals that flipped the script, yet what other options did he have? Emery deployed his available resources to mount a recovery—thus Watkins, Amadou Onana (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/323110/amadou-onana) (presumably rested), and Jadon Sancho (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/259836/jadon-sancho) entered the fray. In truth, the only Villa reserves sidelined were a defender (Andrés García (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/356080/andres-garcia)) and two young prospects.
Villa's journey under Emery defies belief—they trail the leaders by just three points—but it wasn't Saturday's changes that define his brilliance. It's his transformative work since late September across all competitions, securing 17 wins in 19 matches, elevating players individually, and proving that strategy and guidance truly count.
Could they ignite a three-team title scramble? We'll find out soon enough: Next up, an away trip to Arsenal.
Inter overcomes Atalanta to lead Serie A (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/ITA.1), yet they're flirting with peril
This weekend's narrow 1-0 success places them one point ahead of Milan, but envision an alternate reality. One where Berat Djimsiti (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/236015/berat-djimsiti) doesn't carelessly lose possession, handing Lautaro Martínez (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/180639/lautaro-martinez) a goal midway through the second period. Or where Lazar Samardzic (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/239350/lazar-samardzic) doesn't flub an easy chance and Inter slips to defeat.
Fresh from their Super Cup ouster by Bologna (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=107), another loss might have shrouded 2026 in gloom, which would be exasperating since, honestly, Inter controlled large stretches, generating opportunities and pinning Atalanta deep. They had the rival pinned down firmly, only to ease off around the hour mark and, after scoring, switch to a cautious 5-4-1 that courted risk.
After dominating, you ought to have buried the game decisively: Sustain the aggression throughout. In Cristian Chivu's view, perhaps lacking a substitute forward (Ange-Yoan Bonny (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/298349/ange-yoan-bonny) was out, with teens on the bench) and protecting Lautaro (Marcus Thuram (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/139437/marcus-thuram) had exited for Francesco Pio Esposito (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/261328/pio-esposito)) justified it. But, particularly against Atalanta on the road—especially without Ademola Lookman (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/250787/ademola-lookman)—opting for safety late is extraordinarily hazardous.
Inter fields Serie A's deepest, most gifted roster. They should play with that confidence for the full 90 minutes. But here's where it gets controversial: Is conservative defending a smart tactic against weaker sides, or does it betray a lack of killer instinct that could haunt them later?
Tottenham secures a victory, albeit not an impressive one, on the road against Crystal Palace (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=384)
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Marcotti: Thomas Frank hasn't made a mark at Spurs
Gab Marcotti discusses Thomas Frank's impact on Tottenham since joining after their 1-0 win vs. Crystal Palace.
At the very least, not a performance that inspires belief they're providing more than grit and determination—qualities we expect as standard.
Let's address the mitigating circumstances in their 1-0 triumph. Xavi Simons (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/231828/xavi-simons) and Cuti Romero faced suspensions, while James Maddison (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/366509/james-maddison), Dejan Kulusevski (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/323110/dejan-kulusevski), and Dominic Solanke (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/304901/dominic-solanke) dealt with injuries (a near-constant issue all season). Still, against a Palace team also depleted and with a thinner squad, expectations were higher.
Crowding the midfield without a clear scoring strategy beyond counters or set pieces probably wasn't Thomas Frank's intended blueprint. It's defensible with a lead, but in the initial 42 scoreless minutes, Spurs mustered only two shots, both inaccurate. Their goal arrived from a chaotic set-piece scramble, and post-break, defending while conceding 68% possession, they still surrendered too many openings.
With just one win in eight prior games, Frank likely felt the pressure mounting. Yet, he'll require monumental leaps in performance to secure his job beyond this season.
Quick hits
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Will Arsenal overcome their 'blip' in the title race?
Shaka Hislop explains why Arsenal could still win the Premier League despite going through a 'blip' in the title race.
- Spotlight on David Raya's heroics: Should Arsenal clinch the Premier League (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league//name/ENG.1) by a margin of two points or fewer, I'd love to see a giant print of Raya's block denying Yankuba Minteh (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/348787/yankuba-minteh) on Saturday displayed across the Emirates. I realize seasons don't hinge on single moments—anything can sway either way. But on that afternoon, as Arsenal clung to a 2-1 lead while Brighton threatened resurgence, Raya's exceptional save preserved the victory and league leadership.
A storyline seemed poised to unfold: Arsenal wastes dominance against Brighton only to be punished by a spectacular strike, sparking doubts, anxiety, and Manchester City speculation. Instead, Raya extinguished the threat with brilliance. Facing just three shots on target, it highlighted the solitary yet pivotal role of a stellar goalkeeper. For newcomers to soccer, think of the keeper as the last line of defense—like a superhero guarding the fortress.
Raya took time to impress me—and perhaps Mikel Arteta, who rotated him with Aaron Ramsdale (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/236015/aaron-ramsdale) upon arrival—but he's undeniably Arsenal's cornerstone this term, vital amid defensive upheaval. If they lift trophies, he deserves prominent placement in victory photos.
- Christian Pulisic steers Milan to second place past Verona: Rafael Leão (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/258917/rafael-leao) typically grabs headlines (he sat out Sunday), yet Pulisic consistently drives Milan's offense. Since joining San Siro before the 2023-24 campaign, he leads in goal contributions (31 goals plus 19 assists), surpassing even Lautaro Martínez. Pulisic's edge? Even on off days, he hustles tirelessly defensively (unlike Leão) and remains engaged.
Facing Verona's stout defense, Pulisic broke the deadlock late in the opening half, with Christopher Nkunku (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/222176/christopher-nkunku) adding his first two league goals for a 3-0 romp. Absent Santi Giménez, with Nkunku's output uncertain and Leão unpredictable, Pulisic stands as Milan's sole dependable attacker. As an example for beginners, imagine him as the reliable engine in a high-performance car—always running smoothly.
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Why Christian Pulisic is at his 'prime' in AC Milan
Gab Marcotti talks about Christian Pulisic's form at AC Milan after their 3-0 win over Verona.
- Cristiano Ronaldo hits 40 goals at age 40: Specifically, 40 in a calendar year. Granted, yearly stats can feel gimmicky, but achieving it in 14 of the past 16 seasons well into your fifth decade? That's legendary.
Dismiss scoring against outfits like Al Akhdoud, where he doubled in a 3-0 win? Go ahead. Yet recall that Karim Benzema (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/46858/karim-benzema), Ivan Toney (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/180639/ivan-toney), and Aleksandar Mitrovic (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/183209/aleksandar-mitrovic)—younger prolific scorers in elite leagues—face similar foes without matching his tally. I've repeated this: Savor Ronaldo's magic while it lasts. But here's where it gets controversial: In an era of youth dominance, is Ronaldo's continued relevance inspiring, or is it holding back fresh talents? Share your thoughts below!
- Ruben Amorim tweaks his formation, and Manchester United (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=360) prevails! Relax, the title is tongue-in-cheek. Shifting from his usual 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 stemmed from absences—itself telling, as who anticipates Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/239350/noussair-mazraoui) opting for the Africa Cup of Nations? Rather than a tactical epiphany, if it reflected long-term belief in a flat back four, one wonders why not earlier, perhaps before a European-less campaign with five senior center-backs.
The key insight? United appeared no stronger (possibly weaker) in 4-2-3-1. They claimed points against Newcastle via Patrick Dorgu's (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/366781/patrick-dorgu) stunning strike ("I didn't realize I had that," he admitted charmingly), but little else cheered. The second half saw them bunker with 24% possession and three shots (none accurate), fielding seven defenders.
Amorim nailed it: Some matches deserved more but yielded less; this was the reverse. And this is the part most people miss: Could forced tactical changes expose deeper squad imbalances?
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Did Man United look better without Fernandes in win vs. Newcastle?
Mark Ogden reacts to Manchester United's 1-0 win vs. Newcastle in the Premier League.
- Newcastle grapples with controllable and uncontrollable challenges: Clearly, they didn't foresee starting 2025-26 without Alexander Isak (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/235662/alexander-isak). With proper leadership like a CEO or sporting director, Isak might have stayed or replacements sourced. Instead, Nick Woltemade (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/298349/nick-woltemade) arrived—a talented forward but, despite his height, not a true target or central striker per Bundesliga (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/GER.1) performances.
This led to Friday's clash with Man United, where they slung 46 crosses yet Woltemade recorded zero shots in 68 minutes. They merited reward, perhaps victory, as Eddie Howe excels and talent abounds. Yet, they're underperforming, and recovery seems distant.
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Marcotti: Højlund has a better coach at Napoli compared to Man United
Gab Marcotti explains why he thinks Rasmus Højlund has a better coach in Antonio Conte at Napoli than he did at Manchester United.
- Rasmus Højlund thrives more this season: No debate—he's improved markedly. His brace in Napoli (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=114)'s 2-0 over Cremonese (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=4050) lifts them in title contention, giving him nine goals—only one shy of his full Old Trafford output last year.
Obviously, the Premier League poses tougher tests than Serie A, but that's partial. Højlund's five goals in five Denmark (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=479) matches since Napoli, matching his prior 33 months, signal growth. The simplest reason? Antonio Conte, superior to his Man United mentors, plays to his strengths, fostering belief.
What when Romelu Lukaku (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/139437/romelu-lukaku) returns next month? Likely pairings occasionally. That's feasible with a top coach and adaptable players. For beginners, this illustrates how coaching can unlock potential, like a key fitting a lock.
- Reijnders and Cherki personalize Manchester City: Not merely their goals (with Rayan Cherki (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/298008/rayan-cherki) setting up Tijjani Reijnders (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/261328/tijjani-reijnders)' opener), but their infusion of vibrancy and invention into a team that can feel linear, awaiting Phil Foden (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/250787/phil-foden) or Erling Haaland (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/253989/erling-haaland)'s magic. Reijnders' savvy deep runs diversify attacks, freeing Haaland. Cherki ranks among the league's finest currently.
Conversely, their defense lags—attacking mids posing as fullbacks falters offensively—and midfield without Rodri (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/231828/rodri) resembles a revolving door. Crucial against cloggers like Forest, who clogged until Omari Hutchinson (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/322771/omari-hutchinson)'s equalizer exposed poor play (their first-half xG: a paltry 0.04 from two shots).
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Nicol: Man City looked like they can win the Premier League vs. Forest
Steve Nicol reflects on Manchester City's performance to beat Nottingham Forest and maintain their strong position in the title race.
- Pisa (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=3956) tests them, yet Juventus (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=111) rises steadily: They struggled initially, Pisa striking woodwork twice, before Pierre Kalulu (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/290129/pierre-kalulu) and Kenan Yildiz (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/366509/kenan-yildiz)' late goals sealed a 2-0, extending their run to seven wins in eight. Critics called it "old-school" Juve, implying dominance and luck over flair.
It lacked polish, with fortune involved, but contrasts past Juve. Stats—1.74 to 0.65 xG, 15-8 shots, 7-0 on target—confirm superiority. Visually too. Juve, flawed, excels with possession and creativity. This deserved triumph differs from nostalgic "old-school" wins. But here's where it gets controversial: Is clinging to "old-school" methods limiting modern evolution?
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What's the best position to play Florian Wirtz at Liverpool?
Gab Marcotti talks about Florian Wirtz's potential to grow at Liverpool after his goal vs. Wolves.
- Florian Wirtz scores his maiden Liverpool goal in another victory, yet progress feels incremental: Beyond the outcome (seven straight unbeaten, notable but below summer hopes), improvements are slight. Wirtz, positioned left-wing in a 4-2-3-1 sans Dominik Szoboszlai (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/257206/dominik-szoboszlai) but with standout fullbacks Milos Kerkez (http://espn.com/soccer/player//id/323110/milos-kerkez) and Jeremie Frimpong (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/281119/jeremie-frimpong), netted his first. He's outperformed stats, adapting across positions, but gains are modest.
More concerning: Liverpool's two first-half goals in the 2-1 over Wolves, plus Hugo Ekitike (http://espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/304901/hugo-ekitike)'s post hit, were their sole clear openings. The second half worsened: two shots on target, 0.42 xG against a Wolves side with 19 losses in 22 games, no win since April, yet chasing. Arne Slot faces substantial rebuilding.
- Major powers advance smoothly in Africa Cup of Nations: After two group matches, Algeria (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=624), Nigeria (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=657), and Egypt (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=2620) have progressed to knockout stages, with Morocco (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=2869), Senegal (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=654), DR Congo, Ivory Coast (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=4789), and Cameroon (https://www.espn.com/soccer/team?id=656) close behind.
No team has ignited yet, understandable given week-long assemblies without warm-ups. Chemistry develops gradually: The goal now is surviving to next weekend, when heavyweights should elevate play.
What do you think—will Aston Villa sustain this momentum, or is Inter's caution a recipe for disaster? Agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's debate!
