Semenyo bags twice as Bournemouth overcome Fulham
Bournemouth fans must have worried about the worst when £200m worth of first-team stars left in the off-season.
However keeping hold of one star turned out to be an total masterstroke, as the Ghanaian winger has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the top flight.
The 25-year-old found the net twice and provided one as Bournemouth overturned a deficit to defeat Fulham 3-1 on the weekend, climbing to within a single point of division table-toppers the Reds.
The opening goal to level the scores was special as he picked up the ball on the left wing, left opponents in his wake, took it to the touchline and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow position.
He then, he assisted Justin Kluivert's goal before scoring in injury time on a counter-attack.
That brings him up to sixth Premier League goals this campaign, second only to City's generational striker the Norwegian.
Since the start of last spring, he has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League (12 – eight goals, four assists).
Not bad for a talent Bristol City signed from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College academy at the age of seventeen.
"It was a stormy night to play football, but it didn't matter to him," remarked ex-England player Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
"He just moves across that pitch. An amazing, special talent. So wonderful to see.
"It makes no difference if it's his right, left foot, makes no difference for him."
The Star in Flying Form
Antoine Semenyo was the difference between Bournemouth and their rivals
While nearly half of Bournemouth's first team departed during the summer, Semenyo was rumored with moves to United, Liverpool and Tottenham.
But in the end he signed a five-year contract back on 1 July.
And that has proved to be fantastic business for the club, for he is one of the in-form footballers in the league currently.
In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian forward hit double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – eleven goals in the Premier League, 13 in all competitions.
Now, he has netted six goals in his first seven Premier League matches and assisted an additional three.
He was asked after the game if this was the best performance of his life.
"Yeah, I'd like to think so," he said. "I'm grateful to God enormously. He's played a huge role in my journey and I'm just reaping the benefits now. So yeah, I thank him always."
Many clubs wishing they had made the gamble on him earlier.
Semenyo qualifies for Ghana through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by the Gunners, Spurs and Millwall as a youngster before landing in a regional academy run by ex- Leeds and Rovers coach the coach.
Bristol City acquired him in 2017, but he required temporary moves at City, Newport and Sunderland before breaking into the Bristol City first team in the 2020-21 season.
In January 2023, he made the multi-million pound transfer to Bournemouth – and he has been improving ever since.
"I think he is a player with confidence," said boss the coach.
"It has been increasing with him. He has featured in other divisions, working his way into the top division. He is very important for us."
His numbers are through the roof currently. He is top in the Premier League for duels won, first for ball won in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and among the best for dribbles. Plus all those goals, naturally.
Fellow player Justin Kluivert remarked: "He is amazing. He shows it each match now. He is just top-tier."
'Iraola Can Coach Every Team'
Andoni Iraola is performing a brilliant job with the team
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will be a coach in high demand when he decides to move on.
The 43-year-old, a Basque coach, has been in charge since 2023 after the surprise dismissal of Gary O'Neil.
Many were not happy at the time, with Iraola not being a well-known figure – and having only coached Cyprus, Spain and La Liga.
But the hiring has been a outstanding success, with the club finishing 12th and then ninth.
The club has not been as elevated as second in the top flight more than two matches into a season.
In addition to his impressive work in sustaining a successful squad, despite it seemed most of their stars were departing in the off-season, his strategies were perfect on Friday.
During a brief period he had 3 backline players on the field instead of 4. And that turned the match.
In the 78th minute he introduced a attacker for a defensive player. They were 1-0 down.
In the 85th minute, he brought on a winger for a defender. They were 2-1 ahead.
"It was necessary to be bold and introduce additional offensive personnel and it worked," he explained. "The players have to create the difference and in this match they made it."
Justin Kluivert said: "He is incredible. If you see even the guys that have departed the club, how we are doing at the moment is remarkable.
"I always say that the pilot of the bus is the manager and he is guiding us on a crazy route. Amazing driver, so we follow him."
Redknapp stated: "Iraola can coach any club in the sport.
"He improves players, everything they do is thrilling. They have to appreciate him while he is with them. How long? Who knows?
"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the impossible, like reaching the top six? They deserve it and anything is possible as long as they retain the manager because he is such a major an advantage for the club."
Cherries Handle Off-Season Rebuild in Their Step
Many felt that the Cherries overachieved when they ended in ninth place last season – and for a while there was even speculation of Europe.
And then three of their back four – Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – left for some of the continent's top teams for almost £150m.
And they failed to make {goalkeeper|shot-st
