Stat attack – AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG from the Man City game. In the first half we didn’t get going with only one attempt, Kerkez’s effort, whereas the reigning Champions had scored and had taken control of the game. The goal came in the 23rd minute with Haaland getting the wrong side of Senesi but his mishit shot, which Neto did well to save fell to Foden who had an easy tap in. The combined xG for these two efforts were 8 in 9. Three minutes later Silva curled one just wide of the far post (rated 1 in 6). Prior to the goal Haaland was through 1 on 1, after an excellent pass from Foden, but shot wide (1 in 10, which seems low). City had a few other minor chances with AFCB having three just before the break. At half time the xG was AFCB 0.14 Man City 1.35. Most neutrals would have been expecting Man City to see out this game comfortably, but we went at them in the second half and restricted City to one chance better than 1 in 10, Haaland effort that was blocked by Zabarnyi. We were mounting up similar chances. In a 5-minute spell, Tavernier didn’t connect well when in a good position (1 in 5) and dragged one wide (1 in 8). Another spell 10 minutes later saw Solanke have a shot blocked from the edge of the area and then a header cleared off the line, both 1 in 10. Nearing the end of the game Unal put a header just wide (although only 1 in 20) and Solanke attempted an overhead kick (1 in 10). The xG in the second half was AFCB 0.79 Man City 0.29, with the final xG AFCB 0.94, Man City 1.64. Similar values were produced by Understat.

Man of the match against Manchester City

Neto

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Semenyo

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Kerkez

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Senesi

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Christie

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Scott

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Someone else

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The first view shows two men at the back (Senesi 25) and Zabarnyi (27), five strung across midfield with the full-backs Smith (15) and Kerkez (3) joining the normal two centre midfielders (Cook (4) and Christie (10)) but with Kluivert (19) playing less advanced than normal. Semenyo (24) and Tavernier (16) player in front of the midfield bank with Solanke (9) playing more of a lone role than normal. The changes came when we were having our best spells of possession. Ouattara (11) came on as a straight swap for Tavernier and Scott (14) came on similarly for Kluivert. In the 80th minute, still chasing the game Faivre (8) came on for Senesi, who was on a yellow card. Cook dropped into the back four, with Haaland having been withdrawn for the smaller Alverez. In the 88th minute, Christie and Kerkez were replaced by Sinisterra (17) and Unal (26) with I’m guessing Ouattara loosely covering the left defensive side. It was all out attack and saw De Bruyne who had been brought on booked for kicking the ball away to waste time. It was a shame we didn’t salvage something, but we went for it.

Comparing Man City’s average position for this game compared with the previous 4 it showed that we had forced them back, which is something to be proud of.

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Zabarnyi had the most touches with 59 followed by Cook with 57. Semenyo had the most touches in the opposition half (30) and in the final third with 24.

We had 24 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Solanke having 5 and Kerkez and Tavernier 3 each.

Zabarnyi attempted 48 passes and Cook 45. Christie attempted most in the opposition’s half (19) whilst Semenyo attempted most in the final third with 11. We averaged 78% completion, with Kerkez and Zabarnyi from the starting eleven having a completion percentage above 85%.

AFCB attempted 13 crosses, being successful with 2 (Semenyo and Tavernier).

Our players tried to take on a man 17 times being successful 6 times. Semenyo was successful twice from 5 attempts.

We created 9 chances (none big). Man City created 10 chances with two big.

We had 13 attempts (one big for Tavernier) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 4 times. Man City had 15 attempts, four big (3 for Haaland), and hit the target 6 times. Solanke and Kerkez had 3 shots each.

AFCB won 12 of 25 aerials duals. Semenyo won 5 from 7

AFCB won 23 out of 37 tackles (the latter being a season-high). Smith won 4 from 5 and Senesi won 5 from 6.

Kerkez and Senesi made joint-most defensive actions with 13. Senesi and Zabarnyi made the most interceptions (3), Neto made the most recoveries (8), Senesi made the most clearances (6) and Scott made the most blocks (2).

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

The foul count was AFCB 14, Man City 6. 5 Bournemouth players made two fouls each, whilst Semenyo was fouled 5 times.

The Opta expected goals had Tavernier (0.32) as the most likely to score for AFCB with Solanke close behind (0.32). For assists, Semenyo was highest with 0.08.

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