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Bournemouth fans likely feared the worst when a significant number of key players departed during the summer.

However retaining Antoine Semenyo turned out to be an total masterstroke, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the Premier League.

Semenyo scored on two occasions and provided an assist as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday, climbing to within a single point of Premier League table-toppers the Reds.

His first goal to equalise was special as he collected the ball on the left wing, dodged opponents in his wake, advanced to the touchline and fired the ball past Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow position.

He then, he assisted Justin Kluivert's goal before netting in stoppage time on a counter-attack.

This takes him up to sixth league goals this season, only behind Manchester City's generational goalscorer the Norwegian.

From the beginning 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 young age of 17.

"We had a hard night to play football, but it didn't matter to Semenyo," stated ex-England midfielder the pundit on Sky Sports.

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

"Doesn't matter if it's right foot, his left, it's all the same for him."

Semenyo in Top Condition

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Although nearly half of Bournemouth's first team left in the summer, Semenyo was rumored with transfers to United, Liverpool and Spurs.

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

And that has turned out to be excellent business for the club, for he is among the form footballers in the league right now.

Last season, the Ghanaian forward hit 10+ goals for the first occasion in his career – eleven goals in the league, 13 in all competitions.

This season, he has scored six times in his opening seven Premier League games and assisted three more.

He was asked following the match if this was the best form of his life.

"Yeah, I'd say so," he responded. "I'm grateful to God massively. He has had a huge part in my journey and I'm just enjoying the rewards now. So yeah, I thank him constantly."

Many clubs regretting they had taken the gamble on him earlier.

The player is eligible for Ghana through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by the Gunners, Spurs and Millwall as a teenager before landing in a regional academy managed by former Leeds and Forest Green coach Dave Hockaday.

The Championship side acquired him in 2017, but he needed loan spells at City, County and the Black Cats before breaking into the Bristol City first team in 2020-21.

In January 2023, he made the £10m transfer to Bournemouth – and he has been progressing continuously.

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

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

His numbers are through the roof now. He is top in the league for duels successful, first for ball recovered in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and among the best for runs with the ball. In addition to all those goals, naturally.

Fellow player Kluivert remarked: "He is amazing. He shows it each match these days. He is just world class."

'The Manager Could Coach Every Team'

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

The 43-year-old, a Basque manager, has been in charge since last year after the unexpected sacking of his predecessor.

Many were displeased at the time, with the new manager not being a household name – and having only coached AEK Larnaca, Mirandes 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 top flight after two matches into a campaign.

Apart from his impressive work in maintaining a successful squad, despite it seemed all their stars were departing in the off-season, his tactics were perfect on matchday.

For six minutes he had three defenders on the field in place of four. And that turned the game.

In the 78th minute he brought on a attacker for a defensive player. The score was 1-0 behind.

Soon after, he substituted a forward for a back. The team was 2-1 ahead.

"We had to take risks and introduce additional attacking personnel and it paid off," he said. "Our squad have to make the difference and today they delivered it."

Kluivert said: "The manager is incredible. If you see even the players that have left the club, how we are performing now is incredible.

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

Jamie Redknapp stated: "He can manage any team in the sport.

"He develops players, everything they do is thrilling. They have to appreciate him while he is with them. How long? It's uncertain?

"Can they keep doing the unthinkable, like reaching the top six? They deserve it and everything is possible as long as they retain the manager because he is that big an asset for the club."

Cherries Handle Off-Season Overhaul in Their Step

Many felt that the Cherries overachieved when they finished ninth last season – and for a while there was also speculation of European competition.

Subsequently 3 of their defensive line – Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Huijsen – departed for several the continent's elite clubs for almost £150m.

And they failed to secure {goalkeeper|shot-st