Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Fulham match, although many of the key events do not show on the xG. The first 25 minutes were entertaining, but without any good chances, until Castagne whipped in a cross and Muniz headed wide from the edge of the six-yard box (rated 3 in 10). Then Christie made a rash tackle. I’m not sure it was intentional, but given the speed and the impact area, it was a clear red. From the free kick, Andersen looped a header onto the bar (1 in 9). Fulham had the momentum, and it felt like a case of surviving until half-time and regrouping. But then Anderson made a stupid tackle on Truffert, going in two-footed with one over the ball and connecting with Truffert’s shin. It was now 10 v 10. At half-time, the xG was Fulham 0.64, AFCB 0.14.
In the 50th minute, Kroupi hit the bar with a speculative effort (1 in 20) before Rayan scored with a less likely chance (1 in 40), which came from the full backs being pushed high, with Adams dropping deep to facilitate this. Truffert’s cross was picked up by Smith, who passed it to Rayan. Fulham now had to attack and Bobb shot over following a well-worked move (1 in 5), but the number of good chances was being limited. AFCB’s best chance came in the 76th minute following a long run from Rayan. After a bit of pinball, the ball fell for Truffert, but he couldn’t get the ball past the defender on the line (1 in 3). Then, in injury time was the chance to wrap it up. Good work by Unal and Toth saw Unal play the ball across the area to Adli, who was waiting for this easy chance. Inexplicably, he made an air shot, and the ball trundled past harmlessly. It felt like a greater than 0.5 xG had he connected. Fulham were still in the game and had their chance when King crashed a shot against the bar (1 in 16), and in the scramble Muniz’s shot was blocked (1 in 4). At the final whistle, the xG was Fulham 1.33, AFCB 0.82. Understat had a smaller margin: Fulham 1.24, AFCB 1.00.
Man of the Match against Fulham
Truffert
Vote
Rayan
Vote
Hill
Vote
Petrovic
Vote
Senesi
Vote
Tavernier
Vote
Smith
Vote
There were two changes from the C Palace game, with Smith (15) replacing Jimenez and Christie (10) replacing Adams. The first change was in the 41st minute when Evanilson was sacrificed to allow Adams (12) to come on and play in centre midfield now that Christie had been sent off. In the 79th minute at 1-0, there was a triple change with Brooks (7) replacing Rayan (37), Adli (21) replacing Tavernier (16) and Unal (26) replacing Kroupi (21) – all being straight swaps. In the 90th minute, Toth (27) replaced Scott (8).
Hill attempted most passes with 52, Tavernier and Truffert attempted joint-most passes in the opposition’s half (17), whilst Tavernier attempted most in the final third (9). We averaged 85% pass completion, with Christie, Evanilson, Hill, Kroupi, Rayan, Tavernier and Truffert of the starting 11 at 85% or over.
AFCB attempted 9 crosses, being successful 3 times (Truffert 2 (from 2 attempts) and 1 from Tavernier).
AFCB created 10 chances (1 big). Fulham created 8 chances, 1 big. Tavernier and Truffert created 2 chances each, with the big chance created by Adams, although this was a deflection following Rayan’s run. Fulham created 14 chances, 1 big.
We had 10 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. Fulham had 14 attempts, 1 big and hit the target 2 times. Tavernier had 3 attempts. The big chances fell to Adli (the air-shot) and Truffert.
The Opta expected goals had Truffert as most likely to score (0.37), followed by Tavernier (0.22) and Evanilson (0.07). For expected assists, Truffert was top with 0.07, followed by Tavernier (0.06) and Senesi (0.04).
AFCB won 12 of 22 aerial duals. Hill won 6 from 7, and Unal won 2 from 3.
AFCB won 8 of 11 tackles. Truffert won 2 from 2.
Scott and Senesi made the joint-most defensive actions with 12. Four players made 1 interception each. Petrovic made the most recoveries (8). Hill made the most clearances (7), and Scott made the most blocks (3).
The foul count was AFCB 21, Fulham 12. Scott made 5 fouls and was fouled 3 times.
To join the conversation, please click here.
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…