Ipswich Town 1-2 AFC Bournemouth: result and report

The Pundit picked AFC Bournemouth (37%): correct

Report

AFC Bournemouth won 2-1 at Portman Road, and the narrow margin, if anything, flattered Ipswich Town. The home side had more of the ball, but AFC Bournemouth led from the fifth minute and created the better chances throughout.

How the goals came

Evanilson gave AFC Bournemouth an early lead after five minutes. The second goal arrived straight after half-time, when Leif Davis turned the ball into his own net on 46 minutes.

That left Ipswich Town two down with most of the half still to play. Their reply came from the penalty spot, with Jack Clarke scoring on 73 minutes. Despite that, they could not find an equaliser.

AFC Bournemouth: the better chances

Ipswich Town had 56% of the possession, yet AFC Bournemouth produced the stronger attacking numbers. Both sides had eight shots. From those, AFC Bournemouth made 1.62 xG to 1.24, four shots on target to two and four big chances to two.

The scoreline could easily have been wider, because AFC Bournemouth missed three of those four big chances. Ipswich Town made three saves, while AFC Bournemouth needed to make only one. The pressure pattern also leaned towards the visitors across the match, even with less of the ball.

Ipswich Town: plenty of the ball, little threat

Ipswich Town still made a game of it. They had slightly more dangerous attacks, 27 to 24, and matched AFC Bournemouth's seven key passes.

However, two shots on target is a thin return for that share of possession. The own goal also hurt them, because it came just as Gary O'Neil's side had the chance to reset at half-time.