Written by Matt Stevenson
Here is the xG from the Chelsea game, once the pain of defeat has dulled, we can look back at the performance with satisfaction. Against a top 6 side, we were dominant. The first 20 minutes were a collection of half chances, although Tavernier struck the bar with a rocket (rated 1 in 40). The first real chance fell to Kluivert whose shot was saved (1 in 6). With Chelsea offering little, Evanilson pounced on a loose back pass by Fofana, flicked it over the keeper and Sanchez brought him down for a clear penalty. Evanilson took it himself, although Sanchez read his intention and dived to his left to save it and concede the corner (4 in 5). We still attacked and after a few minor chances the xG at half time, was AFCB 1.29 and Chelsea 0.18. The second half started in the same manner. Kluivert had a shot saved (about 1 in 8) in the 51st minute, and after some half chances, AFCB lost momentum, with no shots between the 58th minute, when Christie hit the post, rated 1 in 12, and the 83rd minute. Chelsea had grown into the game and players on both sides were probably afraid to challenge as so many were on bookings. The game was quiet apart from a good chance for Jackson which was well blocked (1 in 5). In the 83rd minute, Sinisterra had a shot blocked (1 in 11) before Chelsea hit us with a sucker-punch. Nkunku wriggled through Scott, Senesi and Zabarnyi with potential miscommunication between the latter two to place it inside the far post (rated 3 in 10). We had a few more half chances, but couldn’t convert any. The final xG was AFCB 1.78 and Chelsea 0.78. Understat also had AFCB in front, at 1.54 vs 0.93.
Man of the match against ChelseaTavernier
Kluivert
Smith
Christie
Kerkez
Travers
Someone else
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There were 2 changes to the team although neither was a surprise, Smith (15) came in for Araujo and Travers (42) for Neto who couldn’t play against his parent club. The shape was as expected, with Kerkez (3) playing the most advanced of the defensive line, level with Cook (4) and with Christie (10) further forward. Tavernier (16) was furthest forward, with Kluivert (19) behind him, and Evanilson (9) more central. The first change was on 64 minutes (and it appeared pivitol), On 68 minutes Christie was replaced, having been booked early on, and was replaced by Scott (8) and Evanilson was replaced by Sinisterra (17). As at Newcastle, we lost momentum (see the xG timeline) when Christie came off, although there is a valid discussion that not playing a recognised centre forward contributed to this. On 75 minutes, Smith (who had been booked) and Kluivert (likewise) were replaced with Araujo (22) and Billing (29). Billing played an advanced role and Araujo was further forward than Smith. Maybe it was a case of risking defeat going for the win. In the 83rd minute at 0-0, we took off Tavernier for Unal (26) with Sinisterra moving back to the left-hand side.
Our players tried to take on a man 18 times being successful 9 times. Semenyo tried most often with 4, and had joint most successes (2) with Kluivert and Tavernier.
AFCB players were tackled 15 times, and both Semenyo and Senesi were tackled 3 times.
AFCB attempted 1 crosses, being successful with 4. Tavernier was successful with 3, Billing with the other one.
We had 16 attempts (2 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 4 times. Chelsea had 14 attempts, 3 big, and hit the target 5 times. Semenyo had 7 attempts each, with the big chances falling to Tavernier and Evanilson.
AFCB won 15 of 26 aerials duals. Semenyo won most (6) from 12 duels
AFCB won 14 of 26 tackles. Senesi won 3 from 5.
According to Opta, AFCB made one error leading to a chance (from Christie)
The foul count was AFCB 16, Chelsea 9. Cook and Kluivert made joint-most fouls (4). Evanilson and Semenyo were both fouled three times.
Your say…
Kicks_On_66
A tough loss leaves us on 5 points, about 0.4 off the 51-point pace of this tracker. That means that anything at Anfield (which we have good reason to believe is possible) puts us right back on track.