Stat Attack – AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG from the C Palace game which was a game of few chances, as for the second time in a row a team came to Dean Court looking for a 0-0 draw. Palace ended up with an xG below 0.2, although this doesn’t include the goal ruled out for offside. The first 25 minutes were uneventful, with xGs of 0.03 for AFCB and 0.00 for Palace. Then Palace’s big legitimate chance of the evening happened; Scott was caught on the ball in our defensive third and Mateta had a chance that was struck tamely at Neto (rated 1 in 8). Bournemouth’s first big chance came in the 37th minute when Billing met a cross with his header tipped onto the bar by Henderson (rated 1 in 9). From the corner, Kelly headed wide with Henderson stranded (1 in 7). Philip had a similarly rated free kick hit the wall 7 minutes later. Just before half time was the disallowed goal and at the break, the xG was AFCB 0.47, C Palace 0.16. In the second half, Bournemouth were dominant, without creating many chances. Solanke had a 1 in 10 chance in the 65th minute and we went ahead in the 78th minute, Semenyo cutting in from the right to set up Kluivert who fired home (36%). Despite falling behind Palace still appeared to be in a stupor, with the only remaining good chance falling to Semenyo (1 in 9). The final xG was AFCB 1.10, C Palace 0.19; the xGs produced by Understat were more in our favour being AFCB 1.31, C Palace 0.17.

Man of the match against Crystal Palace Semenyo Vote Philip Vote Neto Vote Zabarnyi Vote Cook Vote Kluivert Vote Kerkez Vote Kelly Vote Smith Vote Christie Vote Solanke Vote Someone else Vote

The average positions of our players look distorted as Tavernier (16) started on the right, but switched to the left at half time so appears central. The biggest surprise was Cook (4) who dropped into the back four at times, allowing Kelly (5) to push left and Ouattara (11) to move forward more. At halftime Semenyo (24) replaced Scott (14) with presumably Ouattara playing more defensively, and Cook moving forward. On 63 minutes Kerkez (3) was brought on at left back, for Ouattara, and Kluivert (19) replaced Philip (29) . In the 90th minute Unal (26) replaced Solanke (9), and Aarons (37) came on for Smith (15) who had been clattered, with the VAR officials somehow checking for a penalty.

Kelly had the most touches with 90. Tavernier had the most touches in the opposition half (47) and in the final third with 32.

We had 21 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Solanke having 5 and Philip 4.

Zabarnyi attempted 62 passes, with Cook having 60 each. Christie attempted most in the opposition half (30) with Tavernier attempting most in the final third with 12. AFCB averaged 79% completion. From the starting eleven Christie, Tavernier and Zabarnyi had values over 85%. Neto only achieved 52%, this is the second game running he has a low score which may show that he is being asked to play it longer.

AFCB attempted 21 crosses being successful with 4 (2 from Smith).

Our players tried to take on a man 32 times being successful 13 times. Despite coming on at halftime Semenyo had joint highest take-ons with 8 (along with Tavernier). Semenyo had the most successful attempts (5)

We created 8 chances (3 big). C Palace created 2 chances with none big.

We had 11 attempts (3 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 7 times. C Palace had 3 attempts, 0 big, and hit the target twice.

AFCB won 15 of 30 aerials duals. Zabarnyi won 3 from 5 and Ouattara and Kelly both won 2 from 2.

AFCB won 20 out of 30 tackles. Cook and Kerkez both made 5 each winning 3 and 5 respectively.

Kelly made the most defensive actions with 18. Christie made the most interceptions (3), Kelly made the most recoveries (10), and most clearances (7). Bournemouth made no blocks.

According to Opta, AFCB made one error leading to a shot which was Scott being caught on the ball.

The foul count was AFCB 14, C Palace 12. Five players made 2 fouls and Kelly was fouled three times.

The Opta expected goals had Kluivert as most likely to score for AFCB (0.31) with Philip at 0.31. For assists, Smith was highest with 0.14, with Philip at 0.12.

Your say…

Waz afcb

Arguably the best chance of the game, Semenyo fired at the keeper’s legs when played through by Kerkez in the second half.

Matt Stevenson replied…

I typed in the wrong name, now edited. Good spot. It was only a 1 in 9 according to OPTA

Waz afcb said…

Ah really? It obviously looked closer live than it actually was then! From North Stand felt like he was played in with just the keeper to beat. – To join the conversation, click here.