Stat Attack – AFC Bournemouth v Everton

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG from the Everton game who as predicted came for a 0-0, and almost achieved it, although the lack of real attacking intent made it a hard watch. AFCB had the first really good chance, a long throw by Hill was flicked on by Huijsen and Ouattara turned it goalwards (rated 1 in 3). He bypassed the defender, but it wasn’t a clean contact and Pickford made a good save. Whilst Bournemouth were in the ascendency the next big chances came 20 minutes later with Kluivert’s attempt blocked by Pickford (36%) and in the resulting melee, Semenyo trying to turn it goalwards and again blocked by Pickford (1 in 6). Near halftime Semenyo had a header (1 in 6) that was saved. The xG at the break was AFCB 1.32 Everton 0.19.

AFCB started the second half with a good chance, with Pickford saving well from Semenyo (1 in 6). The game then quietened down, and it looked like Everton may get their 0-0, or even better as Armstrong put a close-range header wide (37%) in the 51st minute which Opta rated as the game’s best chance (although hasn’t been on any highlight reel yet, including Everton’s). In the 77th minute the deadlock was broken, Ouattara flicked on a long ball to Kerkez who crossed first time to an incoming Brooks, who volleyed past an unsighted keeper (1 in 10). Little else happened in the game, as Everton only created one minor chance, as did we, but were content at holding them at bay. The final xG was AFCB 1.84 Everton 0.71, with understat making the margin much wider, at 2.62 vs 0.56.

Man of the match against Everton Kerkez Vote Cook Vote Huijsen Vote Zabarnyi Vote Dango Vote Semenyo Vote Brooks Vote Someone else Vote

There were 3 changes to the team who drew at Fulham, with Ouattara replacing Brooks, Kluivert replacing Billing and Travers replacing Kepa. There was little remarkable in our average positions, both full-backs, Hill (23) and Kerkez (3) high, with Ouattara (11) often covering for Kerkez. Cook (4) and Christie (10) held the centre, with Kluivert (19) less advanced than normal. Semenyo (24) was furthest forward, although once Brooks (7) came on moved to the left in some of the remaining time. Brooks came on as part of a triple sub in the 70th minute. Brooks replaced Ouattara with the wingers swapping flanks, Adams (12) replaced Hill (23) with Cook switching to right back and Unal (26) replaced Kluivert with two up front. After going 1-0 up in the 77th minute, we waited 5 minutes before replacing Evanilson (9) with Billing (29) with Billing bolstering the midfield, although Billing’s average position shows that Bournemouth were under more pressure in the last 10 minutes than at any other part of the game.

Christie had the most touches with 88. He also had the most touches in the opposition half (49) whilst Semenyo had the most in the final third with 35.

Christie attempted the most passes with 65. Cook and Huijsen made joint-most successful passes. Christie attempted most in the opposition’s half (38) with Semenyo attempting most in the final third with 17. We averaged 77% pass completion with only Cook and Semenyo of the starting 11, at over 85%.

AFCB players tried to take on a man 10 times being successful 7 times (Ouattara was successful 4 times out of 4).

AFCB players were tackled 14 times with Christie and Semenyo being tackled 3 times each.

AFCB attempted 32 crosses, being successful with 6 (three times from Kerkez from 7 attempts).

AFCB had 34 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Evanilson having 8. Everton had 16 touches in our penalty area.

AFCB created 14 chances (4 big). Everton created 6 chances, 0 big. Cook and Kerkez both created 3 chances.

We had 19 attempts (5 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 8 times. Everton had 9 attempts, one big and hit the target no times. Ouattara and Semenyo had 4 attempts each. The big chances are reported as falling to Ouattara, Huijsen, Kluivert and Semenyo (2). I’m unsure why Huijsen is credited with a big chance.

AFCB won 23 of 34 aerials duals. Zabarnyi won 4 from 4.

AFCB won 15 of 29 tackles. Zabarnyi won 3 from 3. Adams attempted 7 tackles even though he was only on the pitch for 20-ish minutes

Christie made the most defensive actions with 16. Christie made the most interceptions (3) and joint-most recoveries (9) with Travers. Huijsen made most clearances (9) and no AFCB player made a block.

The Opta expected goals had Semenyo as most likely to score (0.50) followed by Ouattara (0.44) and Kluivert (0.36). For expected assists, it was Huijsen and Semenyo joint top with 0.24 followed by Evanilson (0.17).

The foul count was AFCB 15, Everton 14. Evanilson made the most fouls 4, with Evanilson and Hill being fouled the most (3 times each).

According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.