Semenyo scores twice as Bournemouth defeat their opponents
The Cherries followers likely feared the worst when a significant number of first-team players departed in the off-season.
However keeping hold of Antoine Semenyo turned out to be an absolute masterstroke, as the Ghanaian forward has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the top flight.
Semenyo found the net on two occasions and provided one as the south coast club overturned a deficit to defeat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, moving to within a single point of Premier League table-toppers Liverpool.
The opening goal to level the scores was spectacular as he picked up the ball on the flank, dodged opponents in his wake, took it to the byeline and fired the ball through Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow position.
He then, he set up his teammate's goal before netting in injury time on a fast break.
This takes him up to sixth league goals this season, only behind City's generational goalscorer the Norwegian.
From the beginning of last spring, he has been contributing in more goals than every other footballer in the English top division (12 – 8 goals, 4 assists).
Not bad for a player Bristol City signed from the local academy at the young age of seventeen.
"It was a stormy night to compete, but it made no difference to him," stated former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
"He just moves across that surface. An incredible, special talent. So wonderful to see.
"It makes no difference if it's right foot, his left, makes no difference for him."
Semenyo in Flying Condition
Antoine Semenyo was the deciding factor between Bournemouth and their rivals
While nearly half of Bournemouth's starting lineup left during the off-season, the forward was linked with moves to Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs.
However in the end he agreed to a five-year contract back on July 1st.
And that has proved to be excellent business for the Cherries, for he is one of the in-form footballers in the Premier League currently.
In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian attacker hit double figures for the first occasion in his career – eleven goals in the league, thirteen in all competitions.
Now, he has scored six goals in his opening 7 Premier League matches and assisted three more.
He was questioned after the match if this was the best form of his life.
"Yes, I'd like to think so," he responded. "I'm grateful to God massively. He has had a massive role in my life and I'm just enjoying the benefits now. So yes, I thank him always."
There will be teams wishing they had made the gamble on him earlier.
The player qualifies for the Black Stars through his parent, but he is from London. He was turned down by Arsenal, Spurs and the Lions as a teenager before ending up in a regional academy run by former United and Forest Green manager Dave Hockaday.
Bristol City signed him in 2017, but he required temporary moves at Bath, County and the Black Cats before breaking into the Bristol City first team in the 2020-21 season.
In January 2023, he made the multi-million pound transfer to the Cherries – and he has been improving ever since.
"I think he is a footballer with self-belief," commented manager Andoni Iraola.
"His confidence has been increasing with him. He has played in different leagues, earning his way into the Premier League. He is very important for us."
His statistics are through the roof now. He is first in the Premier League for challenges won, leading for possession recovered in the attacking area, runner-up for high-speed runs and among the best for runs with the ball. In addition to all those goals, of course.
Team-mate Kluivert said: "He is amazing. He demonstrates it each match these days. He is just world class."
'Iraola Could Coach Any Club'
Andoni Iraola is performing a brilliant job with Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Iraola will be a coach in demand when he chooses to move on.
The 43-year-old, a Basque manager, has been in charge since 2023 after the surprise sacking of Gary O'Neil.
Many were displeased at the time, with Iraola not being a well-known figure – and previously coached AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.
But the appointment has been a outstanding achievement, with the club finishing twelfth and then ninth.
The club has not been as elevated as second in the top flight after two games into a season.
Apart from his impressive work in maintaining a winning team, despite it seemed all their stars were leaving in the summer, his strategies were spot on on Friday.
For six minutes he had three backline players on the field instead of 4. And that changed the match.
In the 78th minute he brought on a winger for a defender. They were 1-0 behind.
Soon after, he substituted a forward for a back. The team was 2-1 ahead.
"We had to take risks and put on additional offensive personnel and it worked," he explained. "Our squad have to make the difference and in this match they delivered it."
Justin Kluivert said: "He is fantastic. If you consider even the guys that have departed the team, how we are performing at the moment is remarkable.
"I always say that the driver of the team is the manager and he is driving us on a crazy path. Amazing driver, so we trust him."
Redknapp stated: "He could manage every team in world football.
"He develops individuals, all they do is exciting. They have to appreciate him while he is with them. For how much longer? Who knows?
"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the unthinkable, like reaching the top six? They deserve it and anything is attainable as long as they keep the coach because he is such a major an advantage for the team."
Bournemouth Take Off-Season Rebuild in Their Stride
Many believed that Bournemouth exceeded expectations when they ended ninth the previous campaign – and for a period there was even talk of European competition.
And then three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Huijsen – left for some of Europe's top teams for almost £150m.
And they failed to secure {goalkeeper|shot-st
