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It was two months ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source for the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.