Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Spurs game where AFCB finally won, breaking the pattern of good underlying stats without getting 3 points. The game started badly, though, with a weak shot from Tel nicking off Jimenez and going past Petrovic into the corner (1 in 50). I’m not sure if the deflection made all the difference, but it looked poor. AFCB had not created much, but in the 22nd minute, it was 1-1, with Evanilson rising well to head Tavernier’s cross into the top left corner (1 in 11). With our next attempt in the 35th minute, it was 2-1, with Semenyo having missed the ball, Senesi was onside to pull back another Tavernier cross to an unmarked Kroupi 6 yards out (2 in 3). At halftime, the xG was AFCB 0.80, Spurs 0.18. The second half started flat with neither side having a good chance in the first 20 minutes, then Richarlison had Spurs’ best chance heading against the post from within the 6-yard box (3 in 10), and minutes later, Unal turned in the box to shoot wide (1 in 8). In the 77th minute, Spurs equalised with a great finish. From a corner, Romero’s header was blocked (1 in 10) but bounced for Paulinho to bicycle kick into the far corner of the net (1 in 11). Spurs were looking more likely and Petrovic made a great save to deny Van De Ven’s header (1 in 4) and Richarlison had a shot blocked (1 in 12). In injury time, Semenyo had a relatively good chance from near the penalty spot blocked (1 in 7), but then got the ball a minute later to fire into the far side netting to put us 3-2 up (1 in 50), leaving on a high. At the final whistle, the xG was AFCB 1.27, Spurs 1.25, with Understat having Spurs the better team with AFCB 1.19, Spurs 1.63.
There were two changes from the Arsenal game. The injured Kluivert being replaced by Kroupi (22), who played behind Evanilson (9) and Cook (4), coming in for Brooks, with Tavernier (16) going wide right. The first subs were in the 64th minute, at 2-1 up, when Evanilson and Kroupi, the goal scorers, were replaced by Brooks (7) and Unal (26). I expected Brooks to move to the wing and Tavernier to come inside, but the average positions suggest this wasn’t the case, and Brooks played in the CAM. In the 87th minute at 2-2, Asli (21) replaced Tavernier in a straight swap, and Diakite (18) replaced Jimenez (20), with Diakite playing centrally and Hill (23) moving to right back. In the dying seconds, at 3-2 to AFCB, Semenyo (24) was replaced, receiving a standing ovation, and Milosavljevic (44) came on to play with a back five. He had to defend a set piece, which explains the average position.
Senesi attempted most passes with 56, Truffert attempted most passes in the opposition’s half (20), with 4 players attempting 7 passes in the final third (Jimenez, Semenyo, Tavernier and Truffert). We averaged 75% pass completion, with Evanilson, Jimenez and Scott of the starting 11 having 85% or more.
AFCB attempted 12 crosses, being successful 3 times (2 from Tavernier, 1 from Scott).
AFCB created 5 chances (1 big). Spurs created 11 chances, 2 big. 5 players created one chance each.
We had 11 attempts (1 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 3 times. Spurs had 14 attempts, 2 serious and hit the target 4 times. 4 players had 2 attempts each; Kroupi had the big chance.
The Opta expected goals had Kroupi as most likely to score (0.65), followed by Unal (0.18) and Semenyo (0.16). For expected assists, Senesi was top with 0.53, followed by Scott (0.22) and Tavernier (0.12).
AFCB won 19 of 35 aerial duals. Hill won 9 from 11.
AFCB won 8 of 17 tackles. Jimenez won 2 from 2 and Cook 2 from 3.
Senesi made most defensive actions with 17. Cook and Truffert made joint-most interceptions (3). Scott made most recoveries (8). Senesi made the most clearances (10) and most blocks (2).
The foul count was AFCB 19, Spurs 10. Cook, Jimenez and Scott made 3 fouls each, with Scott 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…