Stat Attack - AFC Bournemouth v Burnley

Written by Matt Stevenson

At last, we have shaken the winless Bournemouth tag although the game started poorly. In the 4th minute Amdouni had a header from a corner that was a half chance (rated 1 in 8) we had responded with a Kelly effort (1 in 9) before Burnley took the lead with Taylor’s first goal in 8 years. Laid back to him near the edge of the box he fired through Scott and an unsighted Radu to make it 1-0 to the Clarets. Understat seems to have revised its algorithm and this was rated 1 in a 100 which seems too low. We were 1-0 down and bereft of confidence but managed to turn it round helped by the fact that between the 11th and 90th minute Burnley had an xG of 0.03. In the 20th minute came the game’s only really big chance. Semenyo crossing from the right to find Tavernier arriving at the fair post who played it down and over. It was rated at 44%. A minute later we were level though. Semenyo dispossessing Taylor to run on and score in the bottom right corner (1 in 16). The chances were all going AFCB’s way with Mepham (a header from a corner) Philip, and Solanke all having efforts rated about 1 in 11. As we were preparing attacking subs, Philip intercepted a stray cross pass and seeing Trafford off his line struck it from distance. The keep got his hand to it but couldn’t keep it out (rated 1 in 100). We were 2-1 up and largely shut up shop with a big concern being a shot from Rodriguez which beat Radu, but the linesman had flagged him offside. A lengthy VAR decision confirmed this call. The was still time for Berge to have a close range header (rated 2 in 3) saved by Radu with the hooked cross landing on the top of the net. One more half chance and the referee finally blew. The xG was AFCB 1.10 and Burnley 0.90 which was similar to Opta at AFCB 1.11 and Burnley 0.83.

The back 4 were positioned as expected once it was known that Kelly (5) would be playing left back. Scott (14) and Philip (29) played deeper than Christie (10) with Sememyo (24) higher than Tavernier (16). The subs were later than had been the case previously with Ouattara (11) coming on for Semenyo in the 69th minute with the score at 1-1. Attacking subs were being lined up when Philip scored and also received a booking for his T-Shirt slogan, which may have prompted his removal. It was a double change with Kerkez (3) replacing Tavernier and Rothwell (8) replacing Philip. The positioning of our subs showed that we retreated when ahead. Smith (15) came on for Aarons (37) who got a knock in the 85th minute and was level with the penalty area. Despite the late scare, we hung on for the win.

Mepham had most touches with 80 followed by Kelly (72) and Zabarnyi (66). Tavernier had most touches in the opposition half with 43 followed by Scott with 18. Tavernier had had most touches in the final third with 27 and with Christie and Solanke on 19.

We only had 28 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Solanke and Semenyo having 6 each and Tavernier 5. This is joint second highest for the season.

Mepham attempted 68 passes followed by Zabarnyi (57). Tavernier and Scott attempted most in the opposition’s half (29 and 19) and interestingly Kelly third with 18. Tavernier attempted most in the final third (11) with Christie close behind (10). We averaged 76% completion, with Tavernier and Zabarnyi of the starting 11 having the best returns with 89% and 86% respectively.

AFCB attempted 24 crosses, being successful with 5 from 5 different players.

Our players tried to take on a man 21 times being successful 10 times. Scott recorded 5 successes from 6 attempts, Semenyo 1 from 4.

We created 6 chances (one big, Tavernier’s chance from Semenyo’s cross). Burnley created 5 chances with none of them big

We had 13 attempts (one big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target six times. Burnley had 6 attempts, 1 big, and hit the target 3 times.

AFCB won 15 of 29 aerials duals. Kelly and Scott will be disappointed with their combined returns of 2 wins in 9

We won 25 out of 35 tackles with Tavernier winning 8 from 8

Mepham had most defensive actions with 13. Semenyo made most interceptions, Tavernier made most recoveries, Zabarnyi made most clearances whilst Philip made the only block.

According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to chances or goals.

The foul count was AFCB 9, Burnley 14. Mepham conceded 3 fouls, with Aarons being fouled four times.

The Opta expected goals had Tavernier (0.44) as most likely to score for AFCB with Solanke (0.16) and Semenyo (0.15) next. For assists, only Semenyo (0.37) was above 0.10. AFCB had an xGc of 0.83 and conceded 1.