🔗 Share this article

Bournemouth followers must have worried about the worst when a significant number of first-team players left in the summer.

But retaining one star turned out to be an absolute masterstroke, as the Ghana forward has inspired their ascent to the runner-up position in the Premier League.

Semenyo found the net twice and provided one as the south coast club overturned a deficit to defeat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, climbing to within a single point of Premier League table-toppers Liverpool.

The opening goal to level the scores was special as he picked up the ball on the left wing, dodged defenders in his wake, took it to the touchline and slotted the ball past Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow angle.

Subsequently, he set up his teammate's goal before netting in stoppage time on a fast break.

This brings him up to sixth Premier League goals this season, second only to City's generational striker the Norwegian.

From the beginning of May, he has been directly involved in a greater number of goals than any other player in the English top division (12 – eight goals, 4 assists).

Impressive for a talent the Robins picked up from the local academy at the age of seventeen.

"We had a stormy night to compete, but it made no difference to Semenyo," remarked former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on television.

"He glides across that pitch. An amazing, unique player. So wonderful to see.

"It makes no difference if it's his right, left foot, makes no difference for him."

Semenyo in Flying Condition

Photo credit

While nearly half of Bournemouth's first team left during the summer, Semenyo was linked with moves to United, the Reds and Tottenham.

But instead he signed a five-year contract back on July 1st.

This has proved to be fantastic business for the club, for he is among the in-form footballers in the league currently.

Last season, the Ghanaian forward reached 10+ goals for the first time in his professional life – 11 goals in the Premier League, thirteen in total.

This season, he has netted six times in his opening seven Premier League matches and set up three more.

Semenyo was questioned after the match if this was the peak form of his career.

"Yeah, I'd say so," he said. "I'm grateful to God massively. He's played a massive part in my journey and I'm just enjoying the benefits now. So yes, I thank him always."

Many teams regretting they had taken the gamble on him before.

The player is eligible for Ghana through his parent, but he is from London. He was turned down by Arsenal, Spurs and Millwall as a youngster before landing in a West Country academy managed by former Leeds and Forest Green coach Dave Hockaday.

Bristol City signed him in 2017, but he needed temporary moves at City, County and the Black Cats before securing a place in the Bristol City starting eleven in 2020-21.

In January 2023, he made the multi-million pound transfer to the Cherries – and he has been progressing continuously.

"In my opinion he is a player with confidence," said manager the coach.

"His confidence has been increasing with him. He has played in different divisions, earning his way into the top division. He is very important for us."

His numbers are exceptional currently. He is first in the Premier League for challenges successful, leading for ball won in the attacking area, runner-up for high-speed runs and top five for dribbles. Plus all those goals, naturally.

Team-mate Kluivert remarked: "He's amazing. He shows it each match these days. He is just top-tier."

'Iraola Can Coach Every Club'

Image credit

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will be a manager in demand when he decides to leave.

The 43-year-old, a Basque manager, has been at the helm since last year after the unexpected sacking of Gary O'Neil.

Several were not happy initially, with the new manager not being a household name – and having only coached AEK Larnaca, Spain and Rayo Vallecano.

However the hiring has been a remarkable achievement, with the team finishing 12th and then ninth.

The club has not been as high as second place in the Premier League after two matches into a season.

Apart from his impressive work in maintaining a winning squad, even when it seemed most of their stars were leaving in the off-season, his strategies were perfect on Friday.

During a brief period he had 3 defenders on the pitch in place of four. And that changed the game.

In the 78th minute he brought on a winger for a defensive player. They were 1-0 behind.

In the 85th minute, he brought on a winger for a defender. They were 2-1 up.

"It was necessary to be bold and put on more attacking players and it worked," he said. "The players have to make the impact and today they made it."

Kluivert said: "The manager is fantastic. If you see also the players that have departed the team, how we are doing at the moment is remarkable.

"I often say that the driver of the bus is the coach and he is guiding us on a crazy route. Amazing driver, so we trust him."

Jamie Redknapp stated: "He can manage any team in world football.

"He improves players, all they do is thrilling. They have to enjoy him while he is here. How long? Who knows?

"Is it possible for them to keep doing the unthinkable, like reaching the Champions League spots? They deserve it and everything is possible as long as they keep the coach because he is such a major an asset for the team."

Bournemouth Handle Summer Overhaul in Their Stride

Many felt that Bournemouth exceeded expectations when they ended ninth the previous campaign – and for a period there was even talk of Europe.

Subsequently three of their back four – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Huijsen – left for some of the continent's top clubs for almost £150m.

Additionally they failed to make {goalkeeper|shot-st