Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Man Utd game. Not much happened in the first 20 minutes, with just one early chance falling to Diallo (1 in 7) who shot at Kepa. In the 28th minute, AFCB went in front. A free kick near the touchline was crossed by Christie to Huijsen who had evaded Zirkzee to glance a header into the far corner (1 in 9)/ Whilst AFCB had been holding Man Utd relatively comfortably the last 10 minutes before half time was a period of Man Utd pressure, with a lot of good chances. Ugarte had a 1 in 6 header blocked, Martinez headed wide (1 in 10), Fernandes shot wide (1 in 7) and the best chance for Fernandes (1 in 5) produced a superb save from Kepa. AFCB needed the break and the xG at half-time was Man Utd 1.00 and AFCB 0.33. The second half began more even before AFCB hit with two quick goals. The first was an undeniable foul on Kluivert, who duly converted from the spot (79%) and then a well worked move saw Evanilson play through Ouattara who pulled it back to Semenyo (who had been involved earlier in the move) to slam it home (1 in 4). Soon after, Garnacho was put through but shot too early and tamely at Kepa (1 in 6) as Man Utd struggled to create big chances with AFCB keeping them at bay. There was a final push and there were 3 good chances late on. Mazraoui shot over in the 85th minute (1 in 7) and then in the 91st minute, there were two quick chances both for Yoro (one blocked by Huijsen (18%)) and one at Kepa (3 in 10). Although many of the home crowd had left and didn’t see these attempts. At the final whistle, the xG was Man U 2.28 AFCB 1.63. Understat had it slightly closer but with Man Utd still ahead.
xG Timeline.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:40 PM
">xG Timeline.png
xG Timeline.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:40 PM
" readability="27">There was 1 change to the team who drew with Spurs with Adams replacing Cook, (hopefully with a plan to protect each player’s minutes over the Xmas period). The formation was largely as anticipated although two things stand out, one – that Kerkez (3) and Ouattara (11) have very similar average positions and that the pitch appears to be on the lean like a dodgy pool table, with so many more players on our right than the left. I don’t know if this was a plan by Iraola, or reacting to the Man Utd formation, others may know better. (See some discussion on the forum for ideas)
The first sub was at half time where Smith (15) who had been booked was replaced by Cook (4) who played right back. The second change was in the 71st minute, at 3-0, with Unal (26) replacing Evanilson (9), seven minutes later, Billing (29) replaced Kluivert (19), both of these substitutions were straight swaps. With a minute to go, Adams (12) and Semenyo (24) who had been tiring were replaced by Brooks (7) and Hill (23). These were straight swaps, which would have surprised us at the start of the season as we would have expected Hill in the back line and Cook in centre midfield.
Av Pos.jpg
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:41 PM
">Av Pos.jpg
Av Pos.jpg
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:41 PM
" readability="19">Christie had the most touches, 64, in total. He also had the most touches in the opposition half (40) and in the Final third (17)
Touches.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:42 PM
">Touches.png
Zabarnyi attempted the most passes with 42, Christie attempted the most in the opposition’s half (24) and in the final third (8). We averaged 76% pass completion. Of the starting 11, Huijsen, Christie, Zabarnyi and Smith, had completion 85% or over.
Passes all.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:42 PM
">Passes all.png
Pass Opp Half.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:42 PM
">Pass Opp Half.png
Pass Opp Half.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:42 PM
" readability="14">AFCB players tried to take on a man 16 times being successful 7 times (Semenyo was successful 2 times from 3 attempts).
Take Ons.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:43 PM
">Take Ons.png
AFCB players were tackled 20 times with Semenyo being tackled 5 times.
Tackled.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:43 PM
">Tackled.png
AFCB attempted 9 crosses, being successful with 2 (from Christie and Smith). The first goal came from a Christie cross.
Crossing.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:43 PM
">Crossing.png
Crossing.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:43 PM
" readability="21">AFCB had 15 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Ouattara and Kluivert having 4 each. Man Utd had 45 touches in our penalty area.
Pen Area Touches.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:44 PM
">Pen Area Touches.png
AFCB created 8 chances (1 big). Man Utd created 18 chances, 3 big. Christie created 3 chances with Ouattara creating the big chance.
Chances Created.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:44 PM
">Chances Created.png
We had 10 attempts (2 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 5 times. Man Utd had 23 attempts, 4 big, and hit the target 7 times. Semenyo had 4 attempts each, with the big chances falling to Kluivert (from the penalty spot) and Semenyo.
Attempts.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:44 PM
">Attempts.png
Attempts.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:44 PM
" readability="15">AFCB won 10 of 22 aerials duals. Huijsen won 3 out of 6 whilst Zabarnyi won 2 out of 2.
Aerial.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:45 PM
">Aerial.png
AFCB won 24 of 33 tackles. Christie won 5 from 5, Adams 5 from 6 and Zabarnyi 3 from 3.
Tackles.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:45 PM
">Tackles.png
Huijsen made the most defensive actions with 14. Adams made the most interceptions (3), and Christie and Kepa made joint-most recoveries (10). Huijsen made the most clearances (6) and most blocks (3).
IRCB.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:45 PM
">IRCB.png
IRCB.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:45 PM
" readability="16">The Opta expected goals had Kluivert highest (0.84) driven by the penalty, followed by Semenyo at 0.47. For expected assists, Ouattara was highest at 0.26 with Evanilson second with 0.12.
xG and xA.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:47 PM
">xG and xA.png
The foul count was AFCB 11, Man Utd 11. Kluivert made most fouls (3) and was fouled the most (3).
Fouls.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 1:47 PM
">Fouls.png
According to Opta, no AFCB player made an error leading to a chance.
Your say…