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Bournemouth supporters must have worried about the worst when £200m worth of first-team players departed during the off-season.

However retaining one star proved an absolute masterstroke, as the Ghanaian winger has been the catalyst for their ascent to second spot in the top flight.

The 25-year-old found the net twice and provided one as the south coast club came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on the weekend, climbing to within one point of division leaders the Reds.

The opening strike to level the scores was special as he picked up the ball on the flank, left defenders behind, took it to the touchline and slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow angle.

He then, he set up his teammate's goal before netting in stoppage time on a fast break.

This takes him up to six Premier League goals this season, only behind City's prolific striker the Norwegian.

Since the beginning of last spring, he has been contributing in more goals than any other player in the English top division (12 – 8 goals, 4 assists).

Not bad for a player the Robins signed from the local academy at the age of 17.

"We had a stormy night to compete, but it didn't matter to Semenyo," remarked former England player the pundit on Sky Sports.

"He moves across that surface. An incredible, unique talent. So fantastic to see.

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

Semenyo in Flying Condition

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While nearly 50% of the club's first team left during the off-season, the forward was linked with transfers to Manchester United, the Reds and Spurs.

However instead he signed a long-term deal back on July 1st.

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

Last season, the 25-year-old attacker reached double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – eleven goals in the league, thirteen in all competitions.

Now, he has scored six times in his first seven top-flight games and assisted three more.

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

"Yes, I'd say so," he said. "I'm grateful to God enormously. He has had a massive part in my journey and I'm just reaping the benefits now. So yeah, I thank him always."

There will be teams regretting they had made the gamble on him earlier.

Semenyo qualifies for the Black Stars through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was turned down by the Gunners, Tottenham and Millwall as a youngster before ending up in a West Country academy managed by former United and Rovers coach Dave Hockaday.

Bristol City acquired him in 2017, but he needed loan spells at Bath, Newport and Sunderland before breaking into the Robins starting eleven in the 2020-21 season.

Earlier last year, he made the £10m transfer to the Cherries – and he has been progressing continuously.

"I think he is a player with self-belief," said boss the coach.

"It has been growing with him. He has featured in different divisions, working his way into the Premier League. He is extremely fundamental for us."

His numbers are through the roof currently. He is first in the Premier League for duels successful, first for ball recovered in the attacking area, runner-up for sprints and among the best for dribbles. Plus his goals, of course.

Fellow player Kluivert said: "He is incredible. He shows it each match now. He is just world class."

'Iraola Can Manage Any Club'

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Bournemouth manager Iraola will be a coach in demand when he chooses to move on.

He, a Basque coach, has been at the helm since last year after the unexpected sacking of Gary O'Neil.

Many were displeased at the time, with Iraola not being a household name – and previously managed AEK Larnaca, Spain and La Liga.

But the appointment has been a outstanding achievement, with the team ending up twelfth and then ninth.

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

Apart from his impressive work in sustaining a winning squad, despite it seemed all their stars were leaving in the off-season, his tactics were spot on on matchday.

For six minutes he had 3 defenders on the field instead of 4. And that turned the match.

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

Soon after, he substituted a winger for a defender. The team was 2-1 up.

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

Kluivert said: "The manager is incredible. If you see also the guys that have left the club, how we are performing at the moment is remarkable.

"I often say that the driver of the team is the coach and he is driving us on a crazy path. Brilliant driver, so we trust him."

Jamie Redknapp stated: "Iraola could manage every club in world football.

"He develops players, everything they do is thrilling. They have to enjoy him while he is with them. How long? Who knows?

"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the unthinkable, like reaching the top six? They deserve it and everything is possible as long as they retain the coach because he is that big an asset for the club."

Cherries Take Off-Season Overhaul in Their Stride

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

Subsequently three of their back four – Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Huijsen – departed for several Europe's elite teams for almost £150m.

And they were unable to secure {goalkeeper|shot-st