Here is the xG from the Leeds game, which was tougher than a 2-0 scoreline suggests. In the first half-hour, the visitors were pressing and containing AFCB and had a goal disallowed in the 10th minute when Petrovic saved Calvert-Lewin’s close-range shot (rated 3 in 10), and the ball hit the striker’s arm and went in. It was unintentional, but the current laws meant it was certain to be disallowed by VAR. On the half-hour mark, we went ahead in bizarre circumstances; a howling mistake by the Leeds defence saw Kluivert nip in to intercept Trafford’s pass, cleverly square it to Evanilson, who took a touch and put it into the net before the onrushing defenders could block it (1 in 2). Nothing else of note happened, and the xG at the break was AFCB 0.67 Leeds 0.35.

The second half was a damp squib, although this suited AFCB as they were 1-0 up. There were no chances rated better than 1 in 15 until the 90th minute when Rodriguez’s tame shot was saved (1 in 7). In injury time, a superb pass by Kroupi put Adli through, whose first touch set him up to score with the second (2 in 5). The final xG was AFCB 1.40, Leeds 0.71, with Understat having a lesser margin of 1.46 vs 0.99.

Man of the Match against Leeds

Evanilson

Hill

Petrovic

Christie

Antonio

Kroupi

There was one change from the victory at Old Trafford, with Christie (10) coming in for Cook (4) in a direct swap. This was reversed in the 68th minute, with Kroupi (22) also replacing Kluivert (19) in CAM. In the 76th minute, Evanilson (9) was replaced as centre forward by Rodriguez (30). In the 88th minute, with the game in the balance, Adli (21) replaced Rayan (37) on the right wing and Diakite (18) replaced Smith (15) at right back.

Silva attempted most passes with 57. Truffert attempted most passes in the opposition’s half (22), whilst Tavernier attempted most in the final third with 17. We averaged 77% pass completion. Of the starting 11, Silva, Christie, and Tavernier had over 85% success. Tavernier completed 25 out of 26 passes.

AFCB attempted 10 crosses, being successful with 2 (Kluivert and Tavernier).

AFCB created 9 chances (2 big). Leeds created 6 chances, 1 big. Kluivert and Kroupi created 2 chances each and one big chance each.

We had 11 attempts (2 big), noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target 5 times. Leeds had 10 attempts, 1 big and hit the target 1 time. Our big chances fell to Adli and Evanilson, who both scored.

The Opta expected goals had Evanilson as most likely to score (0.49), followed by Adli (0.32) and Kluivert (0.12). For assists, Kroupi was top (0.28), followed by four players on 0.03. I’m not sure why Kluivert had such a low value.

AFCB won 6 of 9 tackles. Truffert won 2 from 2.

AFCB won 20 of 41 aerial duals. Hill won 5 from 7.

Silva made the most defensive actions with 14. He made joint-most clearances (6) with Hill and joint-most blocks (1) with Adams. Four players made 2 interceptions, and Petrovic made most recoveries (10).

The foul count was AFCB 12, Leeds 13. Five players made 2 fouls each whilst Evanilson was fouled 5 times.