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The Cherries fans likely feared a downturn when £200m worth of key stars left in the off-season.

However keeping hold of Antoine Semenyo proved an absolute brilliant move, as the Ghanaian winger has been the catalyst for their ascent to second spot in the top flight.

Semenyo scored twice and provided one as Bournemouth came from behind to defeat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, climbing to within one point of division table-toppers the Reds.

His first goal to equalise was spectacular as he collected the ball on the flank, left opponents behind, took it to the byeline and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow angle.

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

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

Since the start of last spring, he has been directly involved in more goals than every other player in the Premier League (12 – eight goals, 4 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 didn't matter to him," stated ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on television.

"He moves across that pitch. An amazing, unique player. So fantastic to see.

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

The Star in Flying Form

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Although almost 50% of the club's first team left during the summer, the forward was rumored with transfers to Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

However in the end he signed a five-year deal back on July 1st.

And that has turned out to be fantastic business for the club, for he is one of the form players in the Premier League right now.

In the previous campaign, the 25-year-old forward hit 10+ goals for the first time in his professional life – eleven goals in the league, 13 in total.

This season, he has scored six goals in his opening seven top-flight matches and assisted an additional three.

He was questioned following the game if this was the best form of his career.

"Yeah, I'd say so," he responded. "I'm grateful to God enormously. He has had a huge role in my life and I'm just enjoying the benefits now. So yes, I thank him constantly."

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

Semenyo is eligible for the Black Stars through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by Arsenal, Spurs and Millwall as a youngster before landing in a regional academy managed by former United and Forest Green coach the coach.

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

Earlier last year, he made the multi-million pound move to the Cherries – and he has been progressing ever since.

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

"His confidence has been increasing with him. He has played in other divisions, earning his way into the Premier League. He is extremely important for us."

His statistics are exceptional now. He is first in the Premier League for challenges won, first for ball recovered in the final third, runner-up for high-speed runs and top five for runs with the ball. Plus his goals, of course.

Team-mate Justin Kluivert said: "He's amazing. He shows it every game now. He is just world class."

'Iraola Could Coach Any Team'

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

The 43-year-old, a Spanish coach, has been in charge since 2023 after the unexpected dismissal of his predecessor.

Several were displeased at the time, with Iraola not being a household name – and previously coached Cyprus, Spain and Rayo Vallecano.

But the hiring has been a outstanding achievement, with the team ending up 12th and then ninth.

The club has never been as high as second in the top flight after two matches into a campaign.

Apart from his notable work in maintaining a winning team, despite it appeared most of their stars were departing in the off-season, his tactics were spot on on Friday.

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

Late in the game he introduced a winger for a defender. They were 1-0 down.

In the 85th minute, he substituted a winger for a back. The team was 2-1 up.

"It was necessary to be bold and introduce additional offensive personnel and it paid off," he explained. "The players have to make the difference and today they delivered it."

Justin Kluivert said: "He is fantastic. If you see even the guys that have left the team, how we are performing now is incredible.

"I always say that the pilot of the bus is the manager and he is guiding us on a amazing path. Amazing driver, so we trust him."

Jamie Redknapp said: "He could manage any club in world football.

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

"Can they keep doing the impossible, like reaching the top six? They deserve it and everything is attainable as long as they retain the coach because he is that big an advantage for the club."

Bournemouth Take Off-Season Rebuild in Their Step

Several believed that the Cherries overachieved when they ended ninth last season – and for a while there was even speculation of Europe.

Subsequently three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Huijsen – left for several the continent's elite teams for almost £150m.

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