Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Chelsea game, which showed a much-improved performance compared with Everton. The best chances in the opening exchanges fell to Delap (rated 1 in 7), whose attempt was blocked by Senesi. The game’s only big chance fell to AFCB in the 34th minute. Semenyo’s cross shot was deflected by Sanchez, and Evanilson connected with it at full stretch, but the ball ended up going wide (85%). On a scoring run, it hits you and goes in; on a barren streak, it goes wide. We had a flurry of chances before the break, the best of which was a saved Semenyo effort (1 in 9), but at half-time it was goalless with the xG being AFCB 1.24, Chelsea 0.24. The second half started brightly with a Tavernier shot (1 in 6) that went wide, but the second half was then more Chelsea’s, although only 3 chances stood out, Garnacho’s header the hit the post (1 in 14) an Enzo shot that Petrovic saved (1 in 5) and Guiu slicing a shot over the bar (1 in 6). After the 70th minute, both sides made little progress, and the game dwindled to a draw. At the final whistle, the xG was AFCB 1.47, Chelsea 0.92, with Understat having a slightly bigger margin (AFCB 1.42, Chelsea 0.67).
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There were four changes from the Everton game, with Senesi, returning from suspension, replacing Milosavljevic, Smith (15) replacing Adli, Evanilson (9) leading the line instead of Kroupi and Tavernier (6) replacing the suspended Adams. Before kick-off, it was unclear if Jiminez (20) would play as a right midfielder, or whether Smith would play as part of a central 3 with Truffert (3) and Jimenez as wingbacks. In the end, it was the former, with Iraola keeping the same formation as normal.
The first sub was enforced, with Senesi (5) injured, with Hill (23) coming on. In the 74th minute, Jiminez was replaced by Adli (21) and Kluivert (19) was replaced by Brooks (7) in the central attacking midfielder position. In the 87th minute, Unal (26) replaced Evanilson (9). Chelsea’s territorial dominance in the second half is shown in the average position of the 3 attacking subs (Brooks, Adli, and Unal), who are all within our own half.
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Senesi attempted most passes with 42, Tavernier attempted most passes in the opposition’s half (21), whilst Kluivert attempted most passes in the final third with 10. We averaged 71% pass completion, the lowest at home this season, with only Truffert and Semenyo of the starting 11 having 80% or more.
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AFCB attempted 11 crosses, being successful once (from Scott).
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AFCB created 8 chances (none big). Chelsea created 9 chances, none big. Semenyo created three chances.
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We had 13 attempts (1 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 5 times. Chelsea had 11 attempts, none big and hit the target 4 times. Semenyo had 5 attempts, Evanilson had the big chance sliding in after Sanchez’s save.
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The Opta expected goals had Evanilson as most likely to score (0.85), followed by Tavernier (0.25) and Semenyo (0.18). For expected assists, Semenyo was top with 0.13, followed by Truffert (0.04) and Tavernier and Kluivert both with 0.03.
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AFCB won 17 of 40 aerial duals. Senesi won 3 from 3, Semenyo 3 from 5 and Evanilson 3 from 8
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AFCB won 12 of 17 tackles. Five players won 2 from 2 (Scott, Semenyo, Smith, Tavernier and Truffert).
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Senesi made the joint-most defensive actions with 16. He made joint-most interceptions (3) with Scott. Petrovic and Scott made joint-most recoveries (11). Senesi made the most clearances (6) and our only block.
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The foul count was AFCB 15, Chelsea 13. Four players made two fouls (Kluivert, Semenyo, Smith and Tavernier), with Senesi being fouled 3 times.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…