Match Report
It is a measure of how far AFCB have come that hime fans were rightly disappointed with the result if not the performance of their defeat against Man Utd. In what was a fairly even first half, Man Utd got themselves ahead through a Juan Mata strike, after a mistake by captain Simon Francis that gifted the Red Devils the opener. More second half goals followed for Man Utd when Wayne Rooney netted on 59 minutes and then Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted a long range effort into the bottom corner of Boruc's goal to make it 0-3. AFCB are not a team of quitters though and they got one goal back after a special strike from Adam Smith. A full comeback was never on the cards though, as Mourinho's side upped their sideways passing to retain possession and keep AFCB out for the last 20 minutes.
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The team selection was fairly bold by Eddie Howe. He played a 4-3-3 formation with King Wilson and Ibe playing up front and Lewis Cook adding strength to the usual pairing of Suman and Arter and last season's main back four was also selected.
The first day of the season is always a special moment and the sun was out to greet the layers in their new kits and Jose Mourinho looked immaculate in the touchline in his suit. With the game under way it was Man Utd that kept the ball from the start, before Callum Wilson drove the first shot wide for AFCB after four minutes.
The pace of the game was quick and Lewis Cook and Ibe were winning their fair share of the ball but the fouls were not getting pulled up and Utd seemed to be the beneficiaries. AFCB were being brave, in playing from the back, despite Utd trying to hem them in near their own box on goal kicks.
A big cross from Valencia saw Ibrahimovic's eye's light up, but Francis and Adam Smith did enough to stop him getting their first with Francis taking a blow. Ibe, Smith and Lewis Cook were starting to dominate up the right side with their intricate play and Ibe was the focal point of most of the Cherries' play.
When Utd did break and Anthony Martial did get into the box, on the left, he blasted well wide of the goal. Down the right side Antonio Valencia played in another dangerous cross that ended up being shifted by Mata on to Rooney's feet, and while he did not hit his shot with great power Boruc had to get down to his left sharply to make the save on 27 minutes.
A stray Jordan Ibe cross had Valencia scrambling back to head it from the six yard box and as AFCB came forward Harry Arter took aim and fired well wide and over.
The game turned on a short back pass from Simon Francis to Artur Boruc, Mata was straight on it and Artur Boruc stood firm and spread himself to make a great save only for the ball to bump back off Simon Francis and straight to Mata who had a simple job of tapping in for the lead. AFCB would have to come from behind after being 0-1 down at half time.
Second Half
Andre Marriner kept up his shoddy refereeing with a corner kick off Eric Baily given as a free kick, but when Rooney went over in the box at least he did not give Utd a penalty. Utd's second goal was not long in coming though and it pretty much killed off AFCB. Valencia had put in a deep cross that Martial shanked back to Rooney, and his header back across Boruc found the net. It seemed easy and the close first half seemed a distant memory.
Utd were well in control now and looked to extend their lead. AFCB perhaps switched off when that second goal went in as from the restart it was Utd again pushing forward and Adam Smith gave a free kick away. Zlatan lined up a special shot and Boruc had to be at his best to dig it out of his top right corner.
Zlatan was not to be denied though. A cross ball from the left to Ibrahimovic, some 25 yards out seemed fairly innocuous, but there was no pressure on the ball from the AFCB midfielders or defenders and Zlatan simply had a go and slotted his shot in through a crowd of players to beat Boruc on his right side 0-3.
The half time team talk had done the tick for Mourinhio's men. They looked home and dry. Callum Wilson was subbed for Lewis Grabban and Benik Afobe came on for Jordan Ibe. The change at least brought some luck for AFCB as Grabban's ball to Adam Smith on the edge of the box was taken in his stride and the full-back stepped inside and drove his shot high and with power into the back of the net 1-3.
There were still some 21 minutes to go. AFCB couldn't do the unthinkable, could they? Well Mourinhio has drilled this side well already. They didn't panic. A misplaced pass from Juan Mata and the Spaniard was taken off and Mkhitaryan was on.
Meanwhile, Afobe was berating Daniels for a slow through ball where the big forward was caught off side. Gradel was then brought on in place of Lewis Cook. Man Utd also brought on Schneiderlin in place of Martial, as time was running out.
The referee eventually showed a yellow card to Ander Herrera for the umpteenth unfair challenge on Josh King, while Rooney was also withdrawn to bring on Depay.
Four minutes of extra time brought a near golden goal for Andrew Surman, but De Gea got down well to his left to keep it out. Afobe then raced in at De Gea after a shot by Adam Smith almost fell into his path, but Gradel probably had an even better chance, when a scramble left him searching to get the ball under control, just a few yards out - but he was blocked at the last.
Summary
The scoreline reads like it was a convincing win for Man Utd, but it had been a tight game all the way up to half time with just one individual error setting Utd on their way. Before that they had been under pressure, and if the Cherries had got ahead it could have been a very different day. Instead the goal gave Utd confidence and they romped away with the win despite a lot of promise from the Cherries. Eddie How will not be disappointed with the way that AFCB kept themselves in the game in the first half but he will have concerns that the porous defence did not seem that troubled and yet let three goals in at home. It leaves AFCB propping up the Premier League and that is not a position anyone wants to be in. However, I did notice that Josh King and Gradel were exchanging word sand Harry Arter acted swiftly as peacemaker by guiding King away. In my mind it is good that there is arguing as it matters to the players and they'll fight hard to get the points they need.
AFCB
Boruc, A Smith, Francis, S Cook, Daniels, L Cook (Gradel 81),Surman, Arter, Ibe (Afobe 68), Wilson (Grabban 67), King
Man Utd
AFCB 1 v 3 Man Utd
14 August 2016
Attendance: 11,355 (including 1392 Man Utd fans)
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| AFCB welcome Man Utd to Dean Court. |
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| The new Premier League banner. |
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| AFCB move along the Man Utd line. |
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| Man Utd prepare for the game. |
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| AFCB get into their first huddle of the season. |
The team selection was fairly bold by Eddie Howe. He played a 4-3-3 formation with King Wilson and Ibe playing up front and Lewis Cook adding strength to the usual pairing of Suman and Arter and last season's main back four was also selected.
The first day of the season is always a special moment and the sun was out to greet the layers in their new kits and Jose Mourinho looked immaculate in the touchline in his suit. With the game under way it was Man Utd that kept the ball from the start, before Callum Wilson drove the first shot wide for AFCB after four minutes.
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| Man Utd to kick off. |
A big cross from Valencia saw Ibrahimovic's eye's light up, but Francis and Adam Smith did enough to stop him getting their first with Francis taking a blow. Ibe, Smith and Lewis Cook were starting to dominate up the right side with their intricate play and Ibe was the focal point of most of the Cherries' play.
When Utd did break and Anthony Martial did get into the box, on the left, he blasted well wide of the goal. Down the right side Antonio Valencia played in another dangerous cross that ended up being shifted by Mata on to Rooney's feet, and while he did not hit his shot with great power Boruc had to get down to his left sharply to make the save on 27 minutes.
A stray Jordan Ibe cross had Valencia scrambling back to head it from the six yard box and as AFCB came forward Harry Arter took aim and fired well wide and over.
The game turned on a short back pass from Simon Francis to Artur Boruc, Mata was straight on it and Artur Boruc stood firm and spread himself to make a great save only for the ball to bump back off Simon Francis and straight to Mata who had a simple job of tapping in for the lead. AFCB would have to come from behind after being 0-1 down at half time.
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| AFCB have to reflect on an unlucky goal. |
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| The scoreboard finally works for a bit, but was on and off all afternoon. |
Andre Marriner kept up his shoddy refereeing with a corner kick off Eric Baily given as a free kick, but when Rooney went over in the box at least he did not give Utd a penalty. Utd's second goal was not long in coming though and it pretty much killed off AFCB. Valencia had put in a deep cross that Martial shanked back to Rooney, and his header back across Boruc found the net. It seemed easy and the close first half seemed a distant memory.
Utd were well in control now and looked to extend their lead. AFCB perhaps switched off when that second goal went in as from the restart it was Utd again pushing forward and Adam Smith gave a free kick away. Zlatan lined up a special shot and Boruc had to be at his best to dig it out of his top right corner.
Zlatan was not to be denied though. A cross ball from the left to Ibrahimovic, some 25 yards out seemed fairly innocuous, but there was no pressure on the ball from the AFCB midfielders or defenders and Zlatan simply had a go and slotted his shot in through a crowd of players to beat Boruc on his right side 0-3.
The half time team talk had done the tick for Mourinhio's men. They looked home and dry. Callum Wilson was subbed for Lewis Grabban and Benik Afobe came on for Jordan Ibe. The change at least brought some luck for AFCB as Grabban's ball to Adam Smith on the edge of the box was taken in his stride and the full-back stepped inside and drove his shot high and with power into the back of the net 1-3.
There were still some 21 minutes to go. AFCB couldn't do the unthinkable, could they? Well Mourinhio has drilled this side well already. They didn't panic. A misplaced pass from Juan Mata and the Spaniard was taken off and Mkhitaryan was on.
Meanwhile, Afobe was berating Daniels for a slow through ball where the big forward was caught off side. Gradel was then brought on in place of Lewis Cook. Man Utd also brought on Schneiderlin in place of Martial, as time was running out.
The referee eventually showed a yellow card to Ander Herrera for the umpteenth unfair challenge on Josh King, while Rooney was also withdrawn to bring on Depay.
Four minutes of extra time brought a near golden goal for Andrew Surman, but De Gea got down well to his left to keep it out. Afobe then raced in at De Gea after a shot by Adam Smith almost fell into his path, but Gradel probably had an even better chance, when a scramble left him searching to get the ball under control, just a few yards out - but he was blocked at the last.
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| Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Max Gradel after the game. |
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| Jason Tindall with Andre Mariner - he might want to question some of his decisions! |
The scoreline reads like it was a convincing win for Man Utd, but it had been a tight game all the way up to half time with just one individual error setting Utd on their way. Before that they had been under pressure, and if the Cherries had got ahead it could have been a very different day. Instead the goal gave Utd confidence and they romped away with the win despite a lot of promise from the Cherries. Eddie How will not be disappointed with the way that AFCB kept themselves in the game in the first half but he will have concerns that the porous defence did not seem that troubled and yet let three goals in at home. It leaves AFCB propping up the Premier League and that is not a position anyone wants to be in. However, I did notice that Josh King and Gradel were exchanging word sand Harry Arter acted swiftly as peacemaker by guiding King away. In my mind it is good that there is arguing as it matters to the players and they'll fight hard to get the points they need.
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| Man Utd troop over to their fans. |
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| Not a great day for Simon Francis. |
Boruc, A Smith, Francis, S Cook, Daniels, L Cook (Gradel 81),Surman, Arter, Ibe (Afobe 68), Wilson (Grabban 67), King
AFCB Subs
Federici, B Smith, Gosling, Aké, Afobe, Gradel, Grabban
Federici, B Smith, Gosling, Aké, Afobe, Gradel, Grabban
Man Utd
- De Gea, A Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata (Mkhitaryan 75), Rooney (Depay 89), Martial (Schneiderlin 85), Ibrahimovic
- Man Utd Subs
- Romero, Rojo, Carrick, Depay, Mkhitaryan, Schneiderlin, Rashford
Chimes' Ratings
Boruc 6, A Smith 8, Francis 6, S Cook 6.5, Daniels 6, L Cook 7 (Gradel 5.5), Surman 6, Arter 6.5, Ibe 7 (Afobe 5.5 ), Wilson 6 (Grabban 5.5), King 6
Transfer news SkySports is reporting that experienced Stoke and Republic of Ireland central-defender Marc Wilson is set to join the Cherries for £2m this week.
Has there been any team which have non brothers or relations with similar names....Wilsons Cooks Smiths!
ReplyDeleteAnyway losing against Manchester was no surprise...but the defensive situation needs sorting out and maybe a centre half pairing of Wilson and Ake might be the answer....the team have to stop giving up soft goals at this level....
However two of the new recruits Lewis Cook and Ibe did debut and it appears that Cook looks a steal at whatever price we paid for him and I hope he gets a run in the team whatever...
Glad to see the continued change in personnel with Macdonald going..O'Kane to be the next?? and one final comment...
Looks like Joe Hart might be available for transfer for £20m..that might be a real sign of intent...
The youth team lost 4-0 to Oxford...are there any prospects that can make the first team
Andre "Marina" is just about right. He was not good and obviously very matey with the man u players.
ReplyDelete