Stat Attack - AFCB v Fulham - Vital Bournemouth

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG from the Fulham game. For the first 30 minutes, the game had been even and cagey, from the TV looking like a side would work a good chance but it never arose with xG of AFCB 0.16 and Fulham 0.25. Little did we know that would almost be it from a Fulham side missing two key attacking players. The first real chance came in the 30th minute with Kluivert taking slightly too long lining up a shot and allowing Tosin to block it. The next big chance, in the 43rd minute, fell to Kluivert again, and whilst the shot wasn’t a good one, Leno moved his foot out of the way to fall on it and it crept in (rated 3 in 10). Whilst it isn’t shown on the xG, Scott’s run through the middle to set up Kluivert was rightly called ‘majestic’. At half time, the xG was AFCB 0.81 and Fulham 0.25. There was little direct action after the restart with the first real item of note being that Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. After 66 matches, we had a spot-kick, Semenyo drove into the area and was bundled over. Solanke held his nerve and slotted home (just over 3 in 4). From that moment, Fulham looked to have thrown the towel in, mentally concentrating on the next game, with only one minor chance in the 69th minute. AFCB kept attacking creating minor chances (around 1 in 10) for Solanke, Tavernier, and Christie with the game being comfortably secured. In injury time, Sinisterra drove in from wide left and hit one from just outside the penalty D into the top right corner, rated (1 in 20) and making it 3-0. The final xG was AFCB 2.08, Fulham 0.32, although Opta had it lower at AFCB 1.82, Fulham 0.28; both were anticipated convincing wins with the opponents creating little.

Man of the match against Fulham

Scott

O. Dango

Sinisterra

Solanke

Zabarnyi

Semenyo

Kluivert

Christie

Neto

Senesi

Someone else

The formation looks to be concentrated in the middle but this was due to Tavernier (16) and Semenyo (24) often switching wings. In reality, at a given point one would be wide left the other wide right. Although Semenyo did play deeper than Tavernier. Scott (14) slotted in for the missing Cook and excellently set up the first goal. Kluivert (19) played the highest of the team. The first 2 subs were like for like, with Philip (29) replacing Kluivert in the 10 role and Sinisterra (17) replacing Semenyo and primarily playing on the left. Late on Brooks (7), replaced Tavernier and played on the right side. This was the first time Iraola hasn’t made 4 or more subs, although Fulham were offering very little.

Senesi had the most touches with 73 followed by Outtara (70). Tavernier had the most touches in the opposition half (30) followed closely by Ouattara (29), Scott (29), and Christie (28). Tavernier also had the most touches and in the final third with 20; the second was Kluivert with 17.

We had 24 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Solanke having 6 and Kluivert 5.

Senesi attempted 60 passes and Zabarnyi 56. Christie attempted most in the opposition’s half (22) and was joint first with Tavernier in attempting most in the final third 8. We averaged 82% completion, with Kluivert, Scott, Smith Solanke and Tavernier having 85% or over, from the starting eleven.

AFCB attempted 13 crosses, being successful with 1 (Scott). Against a giant Fulham team, the fact we succeeded less than normal was not unexpected.

Our players tried to take on a man 22 times being successful 14 times. Ouattara and Semenyo were successful 3 times out of 4, whilst Scott and Sinisterra were both 2 out of 2.

We created 10 chances (2 big, 1 each from Scott and Semeyo). Fulham created 5 chances with none big.

We had 16 attempts (three big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections, or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target four times. Fulham had 8 attempts, none big, and hit the target 3 times. Tavernier had 5 shots whilst Solanke had 3.

AFCB won 17 of 28 aerials duals. Zabarnyi won 5 from 6 and Senesi won 2 from 2.

We won 13 out of 28 tackles – only the second time we have averaged below 50% this season (the other being Man City away). Senesi won 2 from 2 and Scott 2 from 3.

Senesi made the most defensive actions with 16. Ouattara made the most interceptions, Neto made the most recoveries, Scott, Senesi, and Zabarnyi made the most clearances and Senesi made the most blocks.

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

The foul count was AFCB 9, Fulham 9. Semenyo made the most fouls (3) and was fouled the most (3).

The Opta expected goals had Solanke (1.01) as most likely to score for AFCB, boosted by the penalty with Semenyo (0.25) next. For assists, Zabarnyi (0.18) and Scott (0.17) were our only players above 0.10.