Aberdeen create more than usual and still lose to Falkirk

Ben Krauhaus's 73rd-minute goal gives Falkirk a 1-0 win at Pittodrie, even though Aberdeen made more of the chances.

Aberdeen had more of the chances than they usually have at Pittodrie and still went home beaten. Expected goals, a rough measure of how good each shot was based on where it was taken from, gives them 1.72 for the evening. That is above their home average of 1.42, so the chances were there, and the finishing was not.

Aberdeen took 15 shots, five of them on target and 13 from inside the box, where most goals are scored. Their usual home figure is 12.7 shots a game, so the volume was up. Falkirk's goalkeeper, S. Bain, made four saves, and the chances that did not end in a goal were largely a matter of shots that missed or were blocked.

Falkirk had far less of the ball, but they had the bigger share of their own usual game. They held 55% possession, against an away average of 47%, and completed 348 of their 460 passes. Their shot count of 12 sat close to their away average of 11.6, which tells us they were not unusually busy in front of goal. Their expected goals was 1.05, below their away average of 1.17, so they won with fewer chances than normal.

The only goal came in the 73rd minute, when Ben Krauhaus finished a move that Ryan Strain assisted. Bain's four saves were the difference between a close game and a wider margin for the home side. Aberdeen were left needing a second chance they could not turn into a goal.

One goal in the whole match is very low for this division. The league average is 2.8 goals a match, and this game gave us a single strike. Aberdeen conceded that one goal, below their home average of 1.3 conceded, and scored none, against a home average of 1.2 scored. Falkirk kept a clean sheet, against an away average of 1.2 conceded, and scored one, slightly under their away average of 1.2.

The discipline was calm rather than rough. Neither side received a red card, but there were six yellow cards in all, four for Falkirk and two for Aberdeen. Krauhaus was booked at 83 minutes, ten minutes after scoring, which says something about how Falkirk spent the closing stages.

After ten games each, Falkirk sit seventh in the table with 12 points, while Aberdeen are ninth on 11. Falkirk's win came from a team that had fewer shots than usual and still made the most of the one that mattered.

Player of the matchS. Bain4 saves7.9

B. Krauhaus1 goal7.5

S. Armstrong4 chances created7.2

R. Strain1 assist7.2