Stat Attck – Newcastle United v AFC Bournemouth

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG from the Newcastle game, which against all expectations AFCB dominated. In the first three minutes, we had two big chances. Ouattara’s was the better chance (rated 1 in 5) from close in, whilst Semenyo shot over from near the penalty spot (1 in 10). Two minutes later we were 1-0 up, Semenyo pulling the ball back for Kluivert to find the far corner (1 in 7). The game then quietened down although Newcastle equalised with their second attempt, a corner found Guimaraes unmarked to head home (1 in 16). Near the ned of the half AFCB pushed on, with Ouattara heading over (1 in 7), Kluivert scoring after Christie won the ball, fed Ouattara who put Kluivert through (1 in 10) and headers from Christie (18%) and from Huijsen (1 in 10). At half time the xG was Newcastle 0.27 and AFCB 1.06.

The second half again was largely AFCB’s with three 1 in 10 efforts in the first 10 minutes from Brooks, Christie and Zabarnyi. In the 69th minute, Brooks had a flick that was well saved by Dubrovka (28%). For all of the chances, it was still only 2-1 to AFCB and Newcastle could equalise. In the 88th minute, Isak lined up a free-kick with about the same rating as James’ for Chelsea (1 in 16). Thankfully, Isak hit the wall. In the 2nd minute of injury time, Kluivert smashed one from distance into the left corner having given the keeper the impression he was curling it into the right corner (1 in 25). Newcastle then had their two best chances with Gordon having a 1 in 4 chance cleared off the line by Huijsen and Willock (1 in 7). Prior to this, Jebbison had a shot saved (1 in 7) before at the death Kerkez pushed forward, did a step over and fired into the far corner (1 in 20). The final xG was Newcastle 0.79 AFCB 2.26; Understat had a bigger margin in favour of AFCB at 0.84 vs 2.70.

Man of the match against Newcastle Kluivert Vote Christie Vote Dango Vote Kerkez Vote Huijsen Vote Brooks Vote Cook Vote Semenyo Vote Someone else Vote

There were 2 changes to the team who drew at Chelsea with Kepa replacing Travers and Kluivert replacing the injured Hill. Given the injuries, the team largely picked itself. The formation was as expected. with Cook (4) dropping to right back and Adams (12) and Christie (10) holding the centre midfield. Ouattara (11) was the nominal centre forward but dropped deep, with Kluivert (17) more advanced as were Brooks (7) on the right and Semenyo (24) on the left. With little experience on the bench, changes were left late, with Brooks (7) being replaced by Jebbison (21). With the game effectively over, in the 97th minute, Winterburn (47) and Rees-Dottin (51) replaced Kluivert and Ouattara, although neither touched the ball and I’ve excluded them from the graphic.

Christie had the most touches, 76, in total. He had the most touches in the opposition half (49) and Kluivert and Semenyo both had 35 touches in the final third.

Christie attempted the most passes with 43, Christie and Semenyo attempted joint-most in the opposition’s half (31) whilst Semenyo attempted most in the final third (23). We averaged 76% pass completion. Of the starting 11, Adams, Kerkez and Semenyo had completion of 85% or over.

AFCB players tried to take on a man 21 times being successful 15 times (Ouattara was successful 5 times out of 6).

AFCB players were tackled 17 times with Brooks being tackled 4 times.

AFCB attempted 24 crosses, being successful with 7 (Brooks with 4 of these).

AFCB had 35 touches in the opposition’s penalty area with Semenyo having 8. Newcastle had 32 touches in our penalty area.

AFCB created 15 chances (4 big). Newcastle created 7 chances, 1 big.

We had 19 attempts (4 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 19 times. Newcastle had 13 attempts, 1 big, and hit the target 4 times. Four players had 3 attempts each (Brooks, Christie, Ouattara and Kluivert).

AFCB won 13 of 29 aerials duals. Zabarnyi won 3 from 4.

AFCB won 21 of 29 tackles. Christie won 9 from 10. Both season highs.

Huijsen made the most defensive actions with 18. Christie and Huijsen made 3 interceptions each, Kepa made the most recoveries (9). Zabarnyi made most clearances (9) and Huijsen made 4 blocks.

The Opta expected goals had Christie highest (0.65) followed by Brooks 0.43 and Ouattara 0.36. For expected assists, Brooks was highest at 0.39, followed by Semenyo at 0.25.

The foul count was AFCB 18, Newcastle 7. Christie made the most fouls (4) but was also fouled the most (twice).

According to Opta, no AFCB player made an error leading to a chance.

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