Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG timeline for the Chelsea game. Chelsea started brightly with Palmer shooting off-target in the second minute (rated 1 in 10) but despite Chelsea’s pressure and domination of the ball, AFCB had four chances rated approximately 1 in 10 in the first 25 minutes from Semenyo, Senesi, Unal and Christie, which seemed lost on Alan Smith doing co-commentary. However, at that point, we were 1-0 down to the longest goal in the Premier League for 7 years. Neto did well to come and beat Sterling to the ball but took a heavy touch under pressure with the ball landing to Caicedo just inside our half where he scored passed a retreating Senesi (rated 1 in 25). Both teams had one more reasonable chance before the interval, Tavernier for the Cherries (1 in 10) and Jackson for Chelsea, (1 in 7). At the break, the xG was Chelsea 0.51, AFCB 0.63. The second half started eventfully with what was rated a very high chance for Unal (about 1 in 2) which was fired towards him after a Cook shot. Chelsea then attacked at pace down the left side with Aarons outpaced and then tricked by Sterling who squeezed a shot through Neto’s legs to put Chelsea 2-0 up (rated 18%). AFCB immediately hit back, with Kerkez finding Unal whose shot (1 in 13) was heading wide but deflected in off Badiashile. Four minutes later, Semenyo had a chance (1 in 12) before the game settled down and only came to life again late on in injury time. First Neto did well to tip a Gallagher shot over (1 in 5) then AFCB broke from the corner with Ouattara having a shot (1 in 6) pushed away by Petrovic with Gallagher making a goal-saving block for Christie’s follow-up (27%) but the ball rebounded to Solanke who knowing he had to lift it to beat the keeper also put it over the bar (44%). The point would have been deserved with the final xG being Chelsea 1.14, AFCB 2.22. Understat had Bournemouth in front but by a smaller margin at 1.60 vs 2.00.
Man of the match against ChelseaSenesi![]()
Semenyo![]()
Tavernier![]()
O. Dango![]()
Cook![]()
Zabarnyi![]()
Unal![]()
Christie![]()
Someone else![]()
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The team was attacking with the majority of players having average positions in Chelsea’s half. The full-backs of Kerkez (3) and Aarons (37) were nearly as high as Cook (4) and Christie (10) with only Zabarnyi (27) holding back. Just before the hour, Solanke (9) and Ouattara (11) came on for Tavernier (16) and Kluivert (19) the Dutchman having been the furthest forward attacker. Tavernier’s and Semenyo’s (24) positions show that wings were being swapped, although Ouattara played more on the right when he came on. In the 69th minute, Scott (14) and Philip (29) came on for Unal (26) and Aarons (37) with Cook switching to right-back and Philip moving into a withdrawn 10 role, with Solanke now playing as the main striker. In the 84th minute Senesi (who had been booked was replaced by Kelly in a straight swap at centre-back, although Kelly was more withdrawn.
AFCB had 40 touches in the opposition’s penalty area. Semenyo had the most (11) followed by Unal with 6. This was the fourth-highest number of touches in the opponent’s penalty area after Shef Utd home (75), Fulham away (57) and Wolves away (43)
Our players tried to take on a man 22 times being successful 8 times. Semenyo attempted the highest number 6 and had the most success 4.
We had 22 attempts (2 big for Unal and Solanke) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections, or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target five times. Chelsea had 16 attempts, 2 big, and hit the target 6 times.
AFCB won 23 of 40 tackles. This is the highest number of tackles in a game this season, and joint 2nd most successful. Senesi made 9 tackles and was successful with 6, both season highs.
According to Opta, AFCB made one error (from Kerkez) leading to a chance.
The foul count was AFCB 9, Chelsea 5. Senesi made most fouls (2) and Unal was fouled twice. This was the least fouls in a game all season, despite the high number of tackles.