Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Man U game, which was a game of two halves, the first dominated by the hosts, and the second even. The first 25 minutes were all Man U, who took the lead after 12 minutes. Cunha missed (or very slightly glanced) Dalot’s cross, which fooled Petrovic and the ball popped up for Amad, who headed home (rated 97%). Before that, Petrovic had pushed away a good shot from Mount (1 in 7). Utd kept chipping away with moderate chances, but AFCB had a big chance in the 28th minute, Kluivert picking out Tavernier, who ran off the back of Mbeumo, but his header was straight at Lammens (1 in 7), the keeper palmed it back into Tavernier, who couldn’t react, but it was still given an xG of 62%. Man U then had two good chances, first from Amad, which Smith blocked brilliantly (1 in 5) and then an acrobatic Mbeumo effort which went over from (1 in 6). In the 39th minute, we were level. Kluivert and Smith, robbing Smith and setting Semenyo through to finish in off the far post (1 in 8). We couldn’t hold out to half-time, however, although we had a chance (1 in 10) that Scott scuffed wide, before Man U won a corner when Casemiro’s header was blocked (1 in 10). The corner came over, Diakite was blocked off and Casemiro headed in, although Petrovic should have kept it out (1 in 5). At half time, the xG was Man U 2.37, AFCB 0.97. The second half started with an Evanilson goal (1 in 4) after Tavernier played him through. Six minutes later, it was 3-2 to the Cherries, with Tavernier, brought down by a professional foul by Casemiro. Tavernier took advantage of a gap between Fernandes and Cunha to score (1 in 8). Man U’s next real chance was in the 69th minute when Mbeumo fired over a half-volley from close range (1 in 7). The Man U equaliser was both controversial and brilliant. The former because the handball decision was harsh, the latter as Fernandes hit an unstoppable free-kick into the top right corner (1 in 14). Man U’s fourth goal was poor from a Bournemouth perspective, Diakite heading infield to a Utd player, a quick break and then Sesko’s poor cross wrong-footed Truffert, who teed up Cunha (63%). But AFCB hit back in the 84th minute, Jiminez finding Kroupi to calmly finish (1 in 4). The late chances all fell to AFCB, firstly Brooks with a diving header that was kicked away (1 in 6) and in the last minute Brooks forced a save as he tried to bend it into the far corner (1 in 9). At the final whistle, the xG was Man U 3.40, AFCB 1.94, with Understat having a slightly smaller margin (Man U 3.21, AFCB 2.35).
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There was one change from the Chelsea game, with Adams, returning from suspension, replacing Scott (8), although this was reversed after 5 minutes when Adams was injured. The second sub happened just after Man U made it 3-3, with Kroupi (24) replacing Evanilson (9). In the 90th minute, we made 2 subs, Brooks (7) for Tavernier (16) and Hill (23)for Kluivert (19), but weren’t looking to settle for a point considering the average position of Brooks (7). The average position of the team looks odd due to the continual switching of the wings of Semenyo (24) and Jimenez (20).
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Senesi attempted most passes with 49, Kluivert attempted most passes in the opposition’s half (24) and in the final third with 15. We averaged 67% pass completion, the lowest of the season, with only Diakite and Kluivert of the starting 11 having more than 80%.
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AFCB attempted 17 crosses, being successful 3 times (2 from Kluivert, 1 from Jimenez).
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AFCB created 10 chances (four big). Man U created 18 chances, none big. Tavernier created three chances.
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We had 14 attempts (6 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 9 times. Man U had 25 attempts, two big and hit the target 9 times. Tavernier had 4 attempts. The six big chances fell to Brooks (2), Tavernier (2), Evanilson and Kroupi.
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The Opta expected goals had Tavernier as most likely to score (0.82), followed by Evanilson (0.32) and Brooks (0.28). For expected assists, Jimenez was top with 0.22, followed by Kluivert with 0.16.
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AFCB won 26 of 50 aerial duals. Senesi won 6 from 12, and Smith 3 from 4
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AFCB won 8 of 14 tackles. Diakite won 2 from 2 and Truffert 2 from 3.
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Senesi made most defensive actions with 20. He made joint-most interceptions (2) with Diakite and Truffert. Petrovic made the most recoveries (9). Senesi made the most clearances (9) and most blocks (4).
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The foul count was AFCB 12, Man U 14. Smith made 5 fouls, with Tavernier being fouled 4 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…