Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, scoring twice in the last eight minutes of the first half and adding a third on 71 minutes. Man Utd had far more of the ball and the shots, but did not score.
Two goals in five minutes decide it
The game turned between the 38th and 43rd minutes. Rayan opened the scoring on 38 minutes, set up by Justin Kluivert. Five minutes later Marcus Tavernier made it 2-0, with Adrien Truffert providing the assist.
Evanilson added the third on 71 minutes, created by Lewis Cook, to end any chance of a United recovery.
United's first half was also untidy. Andrey Santos (22 minutes), Ayden Heaven (37), Youri Tielemans (40) and Harry Maguire (45+3) were all booked before the break. Bournemouth's only yellow card was shown to Tyler Adams on 27 minutes.
What the numbers say
The team statistics show a very different game to the scoreline. United had 63% of possession to Bournemouth's 37% and took 16 shots to 10. Five of those were on target, against four for the visitors, with six off target and five blocked. Bournemouth had five off target and one blocked.
Corners were close, at five to four in United's favour. Bournemouth committed more fouls, 17 to 13.
The difference was in finishing. Bournemouth scored three times from four shots on target, while United did not score from five.
Expected goals data via Fantasy Premier League, which measures the quality of chances created, had United at 1.71 per game before this match across seven games with data. Bournemouth were on 1.77. FPL's figures for this game were not available.
What it means for the table
Bournemouth are 12th with 9 points from eight games, with two wins and a goal difference of -1. They have kept two clean sheets this season.
United are 16th with 7 points from eight, with one win and a goal difference of -3. They are averaging 1.25 goals per game and conceding 1.63, and are yet to keep a clean sheet. They had gone five league games without a win before this one, so the run now stands at six.
The head-to-head record is also lopsided. United have not beaten Bournemouth in any of their last seven meetings, counting this one. Their recent encounters were 2-2 and 4-4 draws, and Bournemouth have now won three of the seven.
For comparison, leaders Man City are on 21 points from eight, 14 more than United.
MFF's match model had predicted a 2-1 home win, giving United a 55% chance, with 22% for a draw and 23% for a Bournemouth win. It got this one wrong.
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