Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the dramatic Liverpool game, although the first 25 minutes were cagey, with Liverpool typically having the ball but not creating any real chances. xG AFCB 0.05 Liverpool 0.04. Then AFCB took the lead. A long ball from Senesi was misjudged by Van Dijk, who played it onto Scott, who did well to pull it back before it went out for Evanilson to slam home (1 in 4). Gomez was hurt in a collision with Alisson trying to prevent a goal, and this could have been a factor as he was off the pitch when AFCB went 2-0 up, Hill playing through Jimenez in the channel, with the Spaniard kept onside by Van Dijk in the middle, and he finished well (2 in 5). We then looked to preserve energy and to hold Liverpool at bay. In the 43rd minute, Salah had a good chance but shot weakly at Petrovic (1 in 5). But 1 minute later, a corner for Liverpool saw Van Dijk deflect the ball (via his back) into the net (1 in 8). At half time, the xG was AFCB 0.7,4 Liverpool 0.47. The second half continued with Liverpool dominating the ball but not creating much the best chance early in the second-half was a 1 in 8 effort from Jones that was blocked, although AFCB were beginning to create some chances, with Evanilson shot wide from close range in a melee (1 in 4), although Liverpool equalised in the 79th minute from a well worked free-kick that Szoboszlai scored (1 in 20). With the dominance of the ball that Liverpool had, they looked the likely winner, if there was to be one. But AFCB were spurred on by that, and Evanilson had a big chance to win it when he slid the ball past the post (62%) and Scott shooting over (1-9). In the final seconds, AFCB had a throw in near the corner flag. There was a scramble, but Adli flicked it on, Senesi’s shot (3 in 10) was blocked, Adli’s shot was blocked (1 in 6), and then Adli sneaked it in from a tight angle (1 in 6). AFCB had won. The xG for the entire passage was 1 in 2. At the final whistle, the xG was AFCB 2.35, Liverpool 0.93, with Understat having a bigger winning margin: AFCB 3.31, Liverpool 0.94.
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Man of the Match against Liverpool
Jimenez
Jimenez
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Adli
Adli
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Evanilson
Evanilson
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Cook
Cook
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Hill
Hill
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Senesi
Senesi
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Someone else
Someone else
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There was one change from the Brighton game, which was as expected, with Smith (15) coming into right back, with Jimenez (20) pushed forward to right midfield to replace the injured Tavernier. The first sub was in the 67th minute, at 2-1 up, with Kroupi (22), who was fairly quiet, replaced with Christie (10). In the 85th minute, at 2-2, a tiring Jimenez, who appeared to be playing with an injury, was replaced by Toth (27), with, I think, Scott moving more to the right. In injury time, Unal (26) replaced Evanilson (9), with the Sky commentators very surprised we hadn’t shut up shop.
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Senesi attempted most passes with 42, Adli attempted most passes in the opposition’s half (19) and in the final third (15). We averaged 77% pass completion, only Cook of the starting 11 having 85% or more, but his was a very impressive 96%.
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AFCB attempted 13 crosses, being successful 3 times (all from Cook).
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AFCB created 7 chances (3 big). Liverpool created 13 chances, 1 big. Christie created 3 chances (1 big). The other 2 big chances were created by Hill and Scott.
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We had 12 attempts (6 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 5 times. Liverpool had 14 attempts, 1 serious, and hit the target 4 times. Evanilson had 3 attempts; Adli 2, Evanilson 2, Jiminez and Senesi had the big chances.
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The Opta expected goals had Evanilson as most likely to score (0.97), followed by Jimenez (0.43) and Adli (0.18). For expected assists, Scott was top with 0.35, followed by Hill (0.20) and Senesi (0.14).
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AFCB won 6 of 15 aerial duals. Evanilson won 2 from 4.
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AFCB won 10 of 21 tackles. Cook won 3 from 6.
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Adli made the most defensive actions with 13. Jimenez made the most interceptions (4). Petrovic made the most recoveries (12). Senesi made the most clearances (8), and Jimenez made the most blocks (2).
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The foul count was AFCB 7, Liverpool 7. Adli made 3 fouls each, with Scott 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…