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The Cherries followers likely worried about a downturn when £200m worth of key stars departed during the off-season.

However retaining Antoine Semenyo turned out to be an absolute masterstroke, as the Ghana forward has inspired their ascent to second spot in the top flight.

The 25-year-old scored on two occasions and assisted one as the south coast club came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday, climbing to within one point of division leaders the Reds.

The opening goal to level the scores was spectacular as he collected the ball on the flank, dodged opponents behind, took it to the touchline and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper's legs from a tight position.

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

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

Since the beginning of May, he has been contributing in more goals than any other player in the Premier League (12 – 8 goals, 4 assists).

Not bad for a talent the Robins signed from the local academy at the young age of seventeen.

"It was a stormy night to play football, but it didn't matter to Semenyo," remarked ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.

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

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

Semenyo in Flying Condition

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While almost half of the club's first team left during the off-season, the forward was rumored with moves to United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

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

This has turned out to be fantastic business for the Cherries, for he is among the in-form footballers in the league right now.

In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian forward hit double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – eleven goals in the league, 13 in all competitions.

Now, he has netted six goals in his first seven top-flight matches and assisted an additional three.

Semenyo was asked following the game if this was the peak performance of his career.

"Yes, I'd like to think so," he responded. "I thank God enormously. He's played a huge part in my life and I'm just reaping the benefits now. So yes, I appreciate him always."

There will be clubs regretting they had taken the gamble on him earlier.

Semenyo is eligible for Ghana through his father, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by Arsenal, Tottenham and Millwall as a teenager before ending up in a West Country academy run by ex- United and Rovers manager the coach.

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

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

"I think he is a footballer with confidence," commented boss Andoni Iraola.

"It has been growing with him. He has played in other divisions, earning his way into the Premier League. He is extremely fundamental for us."

His numbers are exceptional currently. He is top in the Premier League for challenges successful, first for possession recovered in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and among the best for runs with the ball. Plus his goals, of course.

Fellow player Justin Kluivert remarked: "He's amazing. He demonstrates it each match now. He is just world class."

'The Manager Can Coach Any Team'

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The Cherries boss Iraola will be a manager in demand when he decides to leave.

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

Many were displeased initially, with the new manager not being a household name – and having only coached AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and La Liga.

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

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

Apart from his impressive work in maintaining a successful squad, even when it appeared all their key players were leaving in the off-season, his strategies were spot on on Friday.

During a brief period he had three defenders on the pitch instead of 4. And that changed the match.

In the 78th minute he introduced a winger for a defensive player. They were 1-0 down.

In the 85th minute, he brought on a forward for a defender. The team was 2-1 ahead.

"We had to take risks and put on additional offensive personnel and it paid off," he explained. "The players have to make the difference and in this match they delivered it."

Justin Kluivert said: "He is incredible. If you consider even the guys that have departed the team, how we are performing at the moment is incredible.

"I always say that the pilot of the team is the manager and he is guiding us on a amazing route. Brilliant leader, so we trust him."

Jamie Redknapp said: "Iraola can manage every club in the sport.

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

"Can they keep achieving the impossible, like reaching the Champions League spots? They deserve it and anything is attainable as long as they keep the manager because he is that big an asset for the club."

Bournemouth Take Summer Overhaul in Their Stride

Many believed that Bournemouth overachieved when they finished ninth last season – and for a while there was even talk of Europe.

Subsequently three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – left for several the continent's top clubs for nearly £150m.

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