Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the thrilling C Palace game. AFCB took the lead with our first attempt, a corner found Kroupi entirely unmarked, but onside at the far post, who had a very easy finish (rated 19 in 20). The game was uneventful for 20 minutes until Semenyo shot at Henderson (1 in 11) and then C Palace had two quick chances in succession, in the 26th minute, Mateta headed wide from the six-yard box (1 in 4). Then, 2 minutes later, Guehi had a close-range header blocked (1 in 5). We scored with our next attack, Semenyo’s cross was poked out by Guehi and Kroupi struck it into the bottom corner (15%). 37 minutes and 2-0 Bournemouth. Just before half-time, Mateta broke into the left-hand side of the penalty area, but Petrovic saved (1 in 4). The xG at the break was C Palace 0.80, AFCB 1.25.
In the 50th minute, Mateta missed from just outside the 6-yard box (1 in 8), but this was the only real chance until the 60th minute, although there was a scare for Bournemouth when Senesi lunged in on Sarr, bringing him down and potentially denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Despite VAR intervention, the referee stuck with a yellow card. Palace pulled one back in the 65th minute, with Mateta finally scoring (rated 7 in 10) after an overload on the right saw Munoz cross into the area. 5 minutes later, it was level, Mateta stretching at the far post to turn it into an empty net (also 7 in 10). Palace were in the ascendancy and were still pushing on, with Sarr shooting wide from close range (3 in 10). There was then a quiet 10 minutes before AFCB went in front again. A break down the left saw Tavernier drive the ball across the goal and Christie got in front of the defender to score from close range (7 in 10). Palace pushed again but were being kept at arm’s length until a controversial decision. At a corner, 3 Palace players fell to the ground and a penalty was awarded. There may have been a foul in there, but if this standard is maintained, then there will be multiple penalties every game. Mateta scored the penalty (79%). There was still last-gasp drama when Mateta had a golden chance (57%) that he hit over. There was a question of a foul in the build-up by Mateta, so it may well not have stood. The final xG was C Palace 4.44, AFCB 2.03, with Understat predicting similar, at 4.56 vs 2.05. It would be hard to say Palace didn’t deserve a point, but the manner of the final equaliser is frustrating.
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Man of the Match against Crystal Palace
Kroupi Jr
Kroupi Jr
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Tavernier
Tavernier
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Senesi
Senesi
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Petrovic
Petrovic
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Someone else
Someone else
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The team had three changes from the Fulham game, with Brooks and Evanilson injured and Hill (23) dropped to the bench in favour of Jiminez (20). Kluivert (19) came in for Brooks, with Tavernier (16) pushed out wide with Kroupi (21) playing as the main striker. Compared with recent weeks, Adams (12) was further forward, although Jiminez and Truffert (3) still pushed forward, often leaving 2 at the back. At 2-1, Christie (10) replaced Scott (8), although it immediately became 2-2. After 75 minutes, we made a triple change, with Gannon-Doak (11), Adli (21) and Hill (23) replacing Kluivert, Jiminez and Kroupi. Hill for Jiminez was a straight swap, but Gannon-Doak and Adli went left and right, respectively, with Tavernier (16) moving more centrally, as did Semenyo (24). The last change was in the 90th minute, at 3-2 up with Cook (4) replacing Tavernier.
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Senesi had the most touches with 68. Semenyo had the most touches in the opposition half (31) and in the final third with 24.
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Diakité attempted most passes with 45. Truffert made most passes in the opposition’s half (23) and in the final third with 18. We averaged a 77% pass completion. Of the starting 11, Adams, Scott and Tavernier had 85% or over success percentage.
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AFCB players tried to take on a man 14 times, being successful 6 times (Semenyo was successful 3 times out of 4).
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AFCB attempted 12 crosses, being successful 2 times (Jiminez and Tavernier).
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AFCB had 19 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, with Semenyo having 5 and Kroupi having 4. C Palace had 40 touches in our penalty area.
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AFCB created 5 chances (1 big). C Palace created 12 chances, 5 big. Tavernier created 2 chances and the big chance.
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We had 8 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. C Palace had 20 attempts, 7 big and hit the target 7 times. Our big chances fell to Kroupi and Christie, both of whom scored.
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The Opta expected goals had Kroupi as most likely to score (1.18), followed by Christie (0.63). For assists, Tavernier was top (0.61), followed by Kluivert (0.23)
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AFCB won 21 of 53 aerial duals. Semenyo won 5 from 8, Diakité won 4 from 8, but Senesi won only 3 from 13.
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AFCB won 7 of 18 tackles. Adams won 2 from 5. Cook, Scott and Senesi each won their only tackle
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Senesi made most defensive actions with 21. Senesi and Hill made the joint-most interceptions (3), and Petrovic made the most recoveries (13). Senesi made the most clearances (11) and most blocks (3).
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The foul count was AFCB 16, C Palace 7. Semenyo made 5 fouls, with Kluivert and Scott being fouled 2 times.
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According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.
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