Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Spurs game which was fairly nip and tuck for 70 minutes.
Man of the Match against Tottenham
Huijsen
Huijsen
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Adams
Adams
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Kerkez
Kerkez
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Tavernier
Tavernier
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Christie
Christie
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Kepa
Kepa
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Semenyo
Semenyo
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Someone else
Someone else
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Spurs had minor chances early on both from Solanke and he tried to capitalise on defensive hesitancy. Both were about 1 in 10, with one put wide and another blocked by Huijsen. AFCB’s first chance followed a ricochet and a slow clearance which allowed Evanilson to shoot from close range (rated 47%) that hit Forster. From the corner, Huijsen came in at the back post unmarked and headed home (2 in 5). There weren’t many chances in the rest of the half, although Spurs looked threatening without having any chances. Tavernier produced a very good reaction save from Forster with a close-range header just before the break. The xG at half time, was AFCB 1.03 Spurs 0.30.
The second half also began slowly although good skill from Maddison in the 59th minute allowed him to spin and shoot blindly toward the net, with the ball just going past the far post (1 in 3). This turned out to be Spurs last real chance and it was AFCB who suddenly started having good chances. Adams broke through one-on-one, but Forster made a good save (2 in 3). Two good chances came in the 76th and 79th minute through Ouattara and Tavernier (both slightly better than 1 in 4). Three minutes later Ouattara had another two good chances (1 in 11 and 1 in 8). In the 86th minute, there were another two big chances, Unal forcing a save and Ouattara heading wide (both nearly 1 in 4), In added-on time, Adams had a good position blocked (1 in 4). With many AFCB fans expecting a sucker punch given the dominance but no additional goals, the referee blew for full time.
The final xG was AFCB 3.71 Spurs 0.87, with understat also showing a clear advantage to AFCB, with AFCB 3.28 and Spurs 0.62.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:46 PM
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xG Timeline.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:46 PM
" readability="14">There were 2 changes to the team who beat Wolves, with Huijsen replacing the injured Senesi and Semenyo coming into the side after suspension with Brooks dropping to the bench. The average positions are less attacking than normal and Kerkez was more cautious marking Kuluvsevski. Our first change was in the 64th minute with Ouattara (11) replacing Kluivert (19) and moving to the left wing with Tavernier (16) moving inside. Ouattara’s average position was very high. In the 77th minute, Cook (4) replaced Christie (11) in the midfield. In the 85th minute we made 3 changes, Unal (26) replaced Evanilson (9), Billing (29) replaced Tavernier (16) and Brooks (7) replaced Semenyo (24) all like-for-like swaps as we didn’t look to take our foot off the gas.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:46 PM
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Av Pos.jpg
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:46 PM
" readability="14">Kerkez had the most touches with 53. Tavernier had the most touches in the opposition half (28) and most in the final third with 20.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
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Tavernier attempted the most passes with 26, Semenyo attempted the most in the opposition’s half (13) and in the final third with 8. We averaged 70% with Kluivert and Semenyo of the starting 11, at 85% or better.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
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Pass Opp Half.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
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Pass Opp Half.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:47 PM
" readability="14">AFCB players tried to take on a man 15 times being successful 7 times (from 7 different players). Tavernier had the most attempts with 4.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:48 PM
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AFCB players were tackled 23 times with Semenyo and Tavernier being tackled 5 times.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:48 PM
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AFCB attempted 13 crosses, being successful with 5 (two each from Kerkez and Tavernier). The goal was from a Tavernier cross.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:48 PM
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Crossing.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:48 PM
" readability="23">AFCB had 28 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Ouattara having 7. Spurs had 25 touches in our penalty area.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:49 PM
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AFCB created 18 chances (3 big). Spurs created 9 chances, 0 big. Semenyo and Tavernier created 3 chances each. The big chances were created by Tavernier (2) and Semenyo.
Chances Created.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:49 PM
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We had 21 attempts (5 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. This is the highest number of chances this season. We hit the target 7 times. Spurs had 12 attempts, none big, and hit the target 4 times. Ouattara had 5 attempts, with the big chances falling to Adams, Evanilson, Huijsen Kluivert and Tavernier.
Attempts.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:49 PM
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Attempts.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:49 PM
" readability="20">AFCB won 12 of 19 aerials duals. Adams and Ouattara both won 2 out of 2. Zabarnyi was not involved in an aerial duel.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:50 PM
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AFCB won 27 of 36 tackles. Adams won 7 from 9. Huijsen won 4 from 4 and Smith 3 from 3, Zabarnyi was not involved in an aerial duel
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:50 PM
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Adams, Christie and Huijsen made joint-most defensive actions with 13. Christie made the most interceptions (5), Tavernier made the most recoveries (9), Huijsen made the most clearances (10) and Adams, Christie and Huijsen made one block each.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:50 PM
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IRCB.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:50 PM
" readability="24">The Opta expected goals had Adams as most likely to score (0.91). 5 other AFCB players was 0.20 or higher (Ouattara, Evanilson, Huijsen, Kluivert, Tavernier and Unal). For expected assists, Billing was at 0.33 followed by Tavernier (0.28).
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:51 PM
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The foul count was AFCB 15, Spurs 8. Adams made the most fouls (5) with Adams, Ouattara, Kerkez and Kluivert fouled twice each.
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Matt Stevenson · Dec 6, 2024 at 4:51 PM
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According to Opta, AFCB made 1 error leading to a chance which was Zabarnyi got caught on the ball allowing Solanke a run at goal.
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