Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Man U game, which was a game of penalties given and not. In the 4th minute, there were chances at both ends. Amad struck the ball well, but it was beaten away by Petrovic (rated 1 in 8), and AFCB countered with Tavernier playing in Rayan, whose cross shot was scuffed, but almost found Evanilson at the far post (1 in 3). The rest of the half was quite scrappy, with the only good chances falling to Tavernier, who was in the six-yard box, but having to hook the ball from in front of the near post (1 in 5), and Fernandes coming in on the back post where Petrovic did well to keep the shot out with his legs (1 in 4). At the interval, the xG was AFCB 0.72, Man U 0.80.
Territory-wise, the game was more even in the second half, although Liverpool had the first real chance through a close-range Yoro header, which was off target (1 in 6). Then there was as clear a penalty as you’d see when Cunha fooled Jiminez, who dragged him back. Fernandes scored (79%). This was to be Man U’s last shot on target in the game, and they only had one attempt after this. There was controversy in AFCB’s equaliser. Truffert appeared to be overly physical with Amad, but the ref played on, and on the counter, Truffert played in Christie, who rolled it into the bottom corner (1 in 16). I didn’t celebrate as I thought VAR would chalk off the goal to award a penalty. They didn’t, which was maybe in keeping with a softer push (but potentially with both hands) by Maguire on Evanilson in the first half. Man U edged back in front soon after: a corner was flicked on by Senesi, hit Hill, and went in. There was little Hill could have done about this. AFCB were pushing forward, though, and a well-worked move between Kroupi and Evanilson saw the latter past Maguire, who stuck a hand around Evanilson and down he went. Penalty and a red card. Was there more contact from Truffert on Amad, probably yes, but Evanilson was clean through, but both could have been given. It’s a rarity that these things didn’t work in favour of the big team, though. Kroupi scored (79%), and Man Utd began to sit deeper in a defensive shape and, without the quicker players, offered little threat in behind. There were no real chances, though, after that point, and at the final whistle, the xG was AFCB 1.80 Man U 1.77 with Understat having it similarly close: AFCB 1.77 Man U 1.75.
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Man of the match against Man Utd
Christie
Christie
Vote
Truffert
Truffert
Vote
Scott
Scott
Vote
Petrovic
Petrovic
Vote
Someone else
Someone else
Vote
There were two changes from the Burnley game, with Jimenez (20) replacing Smith at right back and Adli (21) coming in for Kroupi, meaning Tavernier (16) playing CAM, Rayan (37) switching to the right and Adli playing on the left. There was a triple change in the 73rd minute (at 2-1 down) with straight swaps in Smith (15) for Jimenez and Brooks (7) for Adli (21), and Kroupi (22) replacing Christie (10) with Kroupi going to CAM, and Tavernier dropping into central midfield. In the 87th minute, at 2-2, Gannon-Doak (11) replaced Rayan in a straight swap.
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Scott attempted most passes with 69, and in the opposition’s half (42). Rayan and Tavernier attempted most in the final third (18). We averaged 85% pass completion, with Adli, Scott and Tavernier of the starting 11 having 90% or over.
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AFCB attempted 22 crosses, being successful 2 times (from Rayan and Truffert).
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AFCB created 10 chances (1 big). Man U created 11 chances, 1 big. Truffert created 3 chances. The big chance was created by Rayan.
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We had 16 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 U had 14 attempts, 2 big and hit the target 5 times. Rayan had 3 attempts; The big chances fell to Kroupi and Tavernier.
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The Opta expected goals had Kroupi as most likely to score (0.81), followed by Rayan (0.41) and Tavernier (0.26). For expected assists, Rayan was top with 0.1,5 followed by Truffert (0.10) and Adli (0.06).
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AFCB won 13 of 32 aerial duals. Senesi won 4 from 11 and Scott 2 from 2.
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AFCB won 8 of 13 tackles. Smith won 2 from 2 and Adli 2 from 3.
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Hill made most defensive actions with 15. Christie and Jimenez made the joint-most interceptions (3). Hill made joint-most recoveries (9). Senesi made the most clearances (5), and Jimenez and Tavernier made 2 blocks each.
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The foul count was AFCB 10, Man U 9. Gannon-Doak and Kroupi made 2 fouls each, and Tavernier was 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…