Bournemouth’s Semenyo Shines with Two Goals in Victory Over Fulham

Bournemouth secured a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory against Fulham at the Vitality Stadium, with standout performances from Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert. The win propelled the Cherries to second place in the Premier League, just one point behind leaders Liverpool.

Fulham initially took control of the match, with Ryan Sessegnon scoring in the 70th minute after a well-executed one-two with Samuel Chukwueze. The goal seemed to put Bournemouth on the brink of defeat, threatening their unbeaten streak since the start of the season. However, Semenyo responded with a moment of brilliance, equalising in the 78th minute. He skillfully maneuvered past Timothy Castagne, finishing through the legs of goalkeeper Bernd Leno from a tight angle.

Kluivert, who came on as a substitute, quickly made an impact by scoring just six minutes later. He unleashed a powerful shot into the top-left corner, marking his first goal of the season. Semenyo then capped off the night with his second goal in the sixth minute of added time, finishing a swift counter-attack led by Ben Gannon-Doak. This victory was Semenyo’s sixth goal of the campaign.

Team Spirit and Resilience

Kluivert praised Semenyo’s contributions, calling him “world-class” in an interview with Sky Sports. “He is incredible, he shows it every game now. He is just world-class. We are glad to have him,” Kluivert stated. He further emphasised the team’s collective spirit, saying, “Losing 1-0 and having the team spirit to come back is incredible.”

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola highlighted the importance of Kluivert and Semenyo in turning the game around. “Antoine and Justin made the difference. The first two goals were amazing goals,” he noted.

Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed disappointment over the loss, stating, “It was tough to lose the way we lost it. We scored a great collective goal and the game was completely under control.” Silva lamented that his team had allowed Bournemouth to capitalize on individual moments, which ultimately decided the match.

Fulham’s challenges were compounded by the absence of a recognised striker, with 18-year-old midfielder Josh King deployed as a false nine due to injuries to Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz. The Cottagers remain in 11th place in the Premier League, having earned eight points from seven matches.

Bournemouth’s success enhances their unbeaten run to six matches, as they continue to build momentum in the league. With the season still in its early stages, Kluivert’s words resonate with the team’s aspirations: “The mentality that we have now is not to look down but up, and we will keep doing that.”