Exceptional Semenyo Drives AFC Bournemouth to Unthinkable Heights

Bournemouth fans must have feared a downturn when a significant number of first-team stars departed during the summer.

However keeping hold of one star turned out to be an total masterstroke, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to second spot in the top flight.

The 25-year-old scored twice and provided one as the south coast club came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday, climbing to within a single point of Premier League leaders the Reds.

The opening goal to equalise was spectacular as he collected the ball on the left wing, dodged opponents behind, took it to the byeline and fired the ball past the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow position.

Subsequently, he assisted his teammate's goal before scoring in stoppage time on a counter-attack.

This takes him up to sixth Premier League goals this campaign, only behind City's generational goalscorer Erling Haaland.

From the beginning of May, he has been directly involved in more goals than every other footballer in the English top division (12 – 8 goals, four assists).

Impressive for a player Bristol City picked up from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College academy at the age of seventeen.

"We had a hard night to compete, but it made no difference to Semenyo," remarked former England midfielder the pundit on television.

"He moves across that pitch. An amazing, unique talent. So wonderful to see.

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

The Star in Top Condition

While almost 50% of Bournemouth's starting lineup left in the off-season, the forward was rumored with transfers to Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs.

However instead he signed a long-term contract back on 1 July.

And that has proved to be fantastic business for the Cherries, for he is one of the form players in the league currently.

In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian forward hit 10+ goals for the first time in his career – 11 goals in the Premier League, thirteen in total.

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

He was asked after the game if this was the peak form of his career.

"Yes, I'd say so," he said. "I thank God massively. He has had a massive part in my life and I'm just reaping the rewards now. So yes, I appreciate him always."

There will be teams regretting they had made the gamble on him earlier.

The player qualifies for the Black Stars through his father, but he is hails from London. He was rejected by Arsenal, Spurs and the Lions as a teenager before ending up in a West Country academy run by ex- United and Forest Green manager the coach.

The Championship side signed him in 2017, but he needed temporary moves at Bath, Newport and Sunderland before breaking into the Bristol City first team in the 2020-21 season.

Earlier last year, he made the multi-million pound transfer to Bournemouth – and he has been progressing continuously.

"In my opinion he is a footballer with self-belief," said boss Andoni Iraola.

"His confidence has been increasing with him. He has featured in other leagues, working his way into the top division. He is very fundamental for us."

His statistics are through the roof currently. He is first in the league for duels won, first for ball won in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and top five for runs with the ball. Plus his goals, of course.

Fellow player Justin Kluivert said: "He's incredible. He shows it each match now. He is just top-tier."

'Iraola Can Coach Every Club'

The Cherries manager Iraola will be a manager in high demand when he chooses to move on.

The 43-year-old, a Spanish coach, has been at the helm since last year after the surprise dismissal of Gary O'Neil.

Several were not happy at the time, with Iraola not being a well-known figure – and previously managed Cyprus, Spain and Rayo Vallecano.

But the appointment has been a remarkable achievement, with the club ending up 12th and then ninth.

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

In addition to his notable work in sustaining a successful squad, despite it appeared most of their key players were departing in the summer, his strategies were spot on on Friday.

During a brief period he had three backline players on the field in place of 4. And that turned the match.

In the 78th minute he introduced a attacker for a defender. They were 1-0 behind.

Soon after, he substituted a forward for a back. They were 2-1 ahead.

"We had to take risks and introduce additional offensive personnel and it worked," he said. "The players have to make the impact and today they made it."

Kluivert said: "He is fantastic. If you see even the players that have left the team, how we are doing at the moment is remarkable.

"I often say that the driver of the team is the manager and he is guiding us on a crazy path. Amazing leader, so we follow him."

Jamie Redknapp said: "He could manage every team in world football.

"He develops players, all they do is thrilling. They have to enjoy him while he is here. For how much longer? It's uncertain?

"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the unthinkable, like reaching the Champions League spots? They deserve it and everything is attainable as long as they keep the manager because he is such a major an advantage for the club."

Cherries Handle Summer Overhaul in Their Stride

Many felt that Bournemouth exceeded expectations when they ended in ninth place last season – and for a period there was also talk of Europe.

And then three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Huijsen – departed for some of the continent's elite teams for almost £150m.

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