Bournemouth surged to second place in the Premier League after a thrilling 3-1 win over Fulham at the Vitality Stadium. Antoine Semenyo’s match-winning brace capped a spectacular team performance, propelling the Cherries to a well-deserved victory. The Ghanaian forward, one of the standout players of the season so far, was instrumental in turning the game in Bournemouth’s favor after Fulham had taken the lead.
Marco Silva’s Fulham had started brightly, taking the lead through a well-executed goal by Ryan Sessegnon. The visitors looked set to build on their advantage, with Samuel Chukwueze making an immediate impact off the bench, combining with Sessegnon to pose a constant threat. However, Bournemouth responded with relentless energy and clinical finishing.
Semenyo’s equalizer came after a brilliant solo run down the byline, leaving Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno stranded. His composure under pressure was evident when he slotted the ball into the net from an acute angle. The Cherries then took the lead with a sensational long-range strike from Justin Kluivert, another second-half substitute, before Semenyo sealed the win in injury time with a trademark counter-attacking goal.
Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, deserves credit for his tactical switches, with second-half substitutions Ryan Christie, Kluivert, and Alejandro Jiménez all playing crucial roles in the turnaround. Iraola’s in-game management and depth of squad were key to securing all three points, especially given the injury troubles that had plagued Bournemouth last season.
For Fulham, the defeat highlighted ongoing struggles, particularly in the absence of key strikers like Josh King, who was forced into a less natural role due to injury. Silva lamented his team’s inability to capitalize on early chances and noted the frustration of missing key players.
Despite the loss, Fulham’s manager emphasized the positives, such as the collective effort behind their opening goal. However, the real story was Bournemouth’s resilience and Semenyo’s ability to step up when needed. The victory marked a crucial moment in Bournemouth’s push for a top-four finish, with only Liverpool above them in the standings.
