The Ghanaian winger bags twice as Bournemouth overcome Fulham
The Cherries supporters likely worried about the worst when a significant number of first-team players departed in the off-season.
But retaining one star turned out to be an total brilliant move, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the top flight.
The 25-year-old found the net twice and assisted an assist as the south coast club came from behind to defeat Fulham 3-1 on Friday, moving to within one point of division leaders the Reds.
His first strike to equalise was spectacular as he picked up the ball on the left wing, left opponents behind, took it to the byeline and slotted the ball past Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow position.
He then, he assisted his teammate's goal before netting in stoppage time on a fast break.
That takes him up to sixth Premier League goals this season, only behind Manchester City's prolific goalscorer the Norwegian.
From the start of last spring, he has been directly involved in a greater number of goals than any other player in the English top division (12 – 8 goals, four assists).
Not bad for a talent Bristol City picked up from the local academy at the age of 17.
"It was a stormy night to compete, but it made no difference to him," stated former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on television.
"He glides across that pitch. An amazing, unique talent. So fantastic to see.
"Doesn't matter if it's his right, left foot, makes no difference for him."
The Star in Top Form
Antoine Semenyo was the deciding factor between Bournemouth and their rivals
Although nearly 50% of the club's first team left during the summer, Semenyo was rumored with moves to United, Liverpool and Tottenham.
But in the end he agreed to a long-term deal back on July 1st.
This has turned out to be fantastic business for the Cherries, for he is one of the form footballers in the league right now.
In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian attacker hit double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – eleven goals in the league, 13 in all competitions.
This season, he has netted six times in his first seven top-flight matches and assisted an additional three.
Semenyo was questioned following the match if this was the peak form of his life.
"Yeah, I'd say so," he responded. "I thank God enormously. He's played a massive part in my life and I'm just reaping the benefits now. So yeah, I appreciate him constantly."
There will be clubs wishing they had taken the risk on him earlier.
Semenyo is eligible for Ghana through his parent, but he is from the capital. He was rejected by the Gunners, Tottenham and the Lions as a teenager before landing in a West Country academy run by former United and Rovers manager the coach.
The Championship side acquired him in 2017, but he required loan spells at City, Newport and the Black Cats before breaking into the Robins first team in the 2020-21 season.
In January 2023, he made the multi-million pound move to the Cherries – and he has been improving continuously.
"I think he is a player with confidence," said boss the coach.
"It has been increasing with him. He has featured in other leagues, working his way into the top division. He is extremely important for us."
His statistics are exceptional now. He is top in the Premier League for challenges won, first for possession recovered in the final third, runner-up for high-speed runs and among the best for runs with the ball. In addition to his goals, of course.
Team-mate Kluivert said: "He is amazing. He demonstrates it each match these days. He is just top-tier."
'Iraola Can Coach Any Team'
The Bournemouth boss is performing a superb job with Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Iraola will be a manager in high demand when he chooses to leave.
He, a Basque coach, has been at the helm since last year after the unexpected sacking of Gary O'Neil.
Several were displeased at the time, with the new manager not being a well-known figure – and previously coached AEK Larnaca, Spain and La Liga.
But the appointment has been a outstanding achievement, with the team ending up twelfth and then ninth.
They have never been as elevated as second in the Premier League more than two matches into a campaign.
In addition to his impressive work in sustaining a successful squad, even when it appeared all their key players were leaving in the summer, his tactics were spot on on Friday.
For six minutes he had three defenders on the field in place of four. And that turned the game.
Late in the game he brought on a attacker for a defensive player. The score was 1-0 down.
In the 85th minute, he substituted a forward for a back. The team was 2-1 up.
"We had to take risks and put on additional attacking personnel and it worked," he explained. "The players have to create the difference and in this match they delivered it."
Justin Kluivert commented: "He is incredible. If you consider also the guys that have departed the club, how we are performing now is incredible.
"I always say that the driver of the bus is the manager and he is guiding us on a amazing path. Amazing driver, so we follow him."
Jamie Redknapp said: "He can coach any team in world football.
"He develops individuals, all they do is exciting. 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 getting into the top six? They deserve it and anything is possible as long as they retain the manager because he is such a major an asset for the club."
Bournemouth Take Off-Season Overhaul in Their Step
Several believed that the Cherries overachieved when they finished in ninth place last season – and for a while there was also talk of Europe.
Subsequently 3 of their back four – Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – left for some of the continent's elite clubs for nearly £150m.
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