Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG timeline for the eventful Everton game. I was following the game via text and basic stats, but the first half appeared drab with 5 moderate chances. For Everton, these were shots from Gueye and Harrison (both about 1 in 10 and both off target) and a shot by Ndiaye (around 1 in 10) that was saved; for AFCB these were a blocked shot by Evanilson (1 in 5) and a scuffed shot from Kluivert (1 in 10). At the break, the xG was Everton 0.42, AFCB 0.41 and it appeared a single goal might decide it.
After an hour with AFCB 2 down, and with Coleman having missed a golden chance the game looked to be lost. In the 49th minute, Keane had put Everton 1 nil up after a good layoff by Calvert-Lewin (rated 1 in 5) then 5 minutes later Coleman had just Kepa to beat but blasted it straight at Kepa who tipped it over (rated 62%). It was a temporary reprieve as 2 minutes later Everton had doubled their lead with McNeill sliding a clever ball to Calvert-Lewin who lifted the ball over Kepa (1 in 4). On 80 minutes AFCB had still created little whilst Everton had been amassing minor chances, at this point, the xG was Everton 1.92 AFCB 0.43. Then we began to spark. First Zabarnyi had a header blocked (1 in 5), then in the 86th minute, Semenyo got on the end of an excellent Ouattara cross to prod home (1 in 3). Then Cook, who had started the move in our own box, ran past a tiring Everton midfield to be unmarked to head home (1 in 5). At 2-2, AFCB still attacked, with Tavernier having our best chance, but not connecting with the header (1 in 2) and having the follow-up blocked (1 in 4), which felt like our chance had gone, but in the last-minute Sinisterra met another excellent cross (this time by Kluivert) to head in unmarked at the back post (1 in 3). The amazing comeback was sealed. The final xG was Everton 1.97, AFCB 2.22. Understat had the xG in favour of Everton however (2.54 vs 2.23)
Man of the Match against EvertonSinisterraKluivertSemenyoCookDangoZabarnyiTavernierKepaScottHuijsenSomeone else |
Bar the change in the keeper, the starting 11 was the same as for Everton. Whether it was intentional or not, Christie (10) played much deeper than normal although this could reflect his substitution in the 66th minute when AFCB had not been in the game much. Normally Christie is level with Cook (4). Kerkez (3) again was high. Tavernier (16) was our furthest forward player. Although again this could be due to Evanilson (9) being substituted with Christie. The first substitutes, at 2-0 down were Scott (8), Ouattara (11), and Sinisterra (17) for Christie, Kerkez, and Evanilson. All played more advanced than the man they had replaced. In the 77th minute, Huijsen (2) replaced Senesi (5) who had been attended to by the physio, and Smith (15) replaced Araujo (22). Neither of these subs were particularly attacking, but did give fresh legs against a tiring Everton side, who only made too substitutions.
Our players tried to take on a man 18 times being successful 5 times (once each from 5 different players).
AFCB players were tackled 19 times, Semenyo was tackled 5 times, with Evanilson and Tavernier tackled three times each.
AFCB created 14 chances (4 big, two created by Ouattara). Everton created 16 chances, 5 big.
We had 17 attempts (5 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections, or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 7 times. Everton had 18 attempts, 5 big, and hit the target 8 times. Semenyo and Tavernier had 5 attempts each, with the big chances falling to Cook, Semenyo, Sinisterra, and two for Tavernier.
AFCB won 17 of 39 aerials duals. Zabarnyi won most (7 out of 9).
AFCB won 26 of 36 tackles. Tavernier won 4 from 4 and Kluivert, Scott, and Senesi all won 3 from 3.
According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.
The foul count was AFCB 11, Everton 6. Araujo, Cook and Semenyo all made 2 fouls. Six AFCB players were fouled once each.