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Bournemouth supporters must have worried about the worst when a significant number of first-team players left during the summer.

However keeping hold of one star proved an total masterstroke, as the Ghana forward has inspired their climb to second spot in the top flight.

Semenyo found the net twice and assisted one as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday, moving to within one point of Premier League table-toppers the Reds.

His first goal to level the scores was spectacular as he collected the ball on the flank, dodged defenders in his wake, advanced to the touchline and slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow position.

He then, he assisted his teammate's goal before netting in injury time on a counter-attack.

That brings him up to six Premier League goals this campaign, only behind City's generational striker the Norwegian.

From the start of May, he has been directly involved in a greater number of goals than any other player in the English top division (12 – eight goals, 4 assists).

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

"It was a hard night to play football, but it made no difference to him," remarked former England midfielder the pundit on Sky Sports.

"He glides across that surface. An incredible, special talent. So wonderful to see.

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

The Star in Top Condition

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While almost 50% of the club's starting lineup left in the off-season, Semenyo was rumored with moves to United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

However instead he signed a five-year deal back on July 1st.

This has proved to be fantastic business for the Cherries, for he is among the form players in the league currently.

Last season, the 25-year-old attacker reached 10+ goals for the first occasion in his professional life – 11 goals in the league, 13 in all competitions.

Now, he has scored six goals in his opening seven Premier League matches and set up an additional three.

He was questioned after the match if this was the best form of his career.

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

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

Semenyo is eligible for the Black Stars through his father, but he is hails from London. He was rejected by the Gunners, Spurs and Millwall as a teenager before ending up in a West Country academy run by former Leeds and Forest Green coach Dave Hockaday.

Bristol City acquired him in 2017, but he required temporary moves at City, Newport and Sunderland before breaking into the Robins first team in 2020-21.

Earlier last year, he made the multi-million pound transfer to the Cherries – and he has been improving continuously.

"In my opinion he is a footballer with confidence," commented boss Andoni Iraola.

"His confidence has been increasing with him. He has played in different divisions, working his way into the top division. He is very important for us."

His statistics are through the roof currently. He is first in the league for duels successful, leading for possession won in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and among the best for dribbles. In addition to his goals, of course.

Team-mate Kluivert remarked: "He's incredible. He demonstrates it every game now. He is just world class."

'The Manager Can Manage Every Club'

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

He, a Basque manager, has been in charge since last year after the unexpected dismissal of Gary O'Neil.

Many were not happy initially, with Iraola not being a well-known figure – and previously managed Cyprus, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.

However the hiring has been a outstanding achievement, with the club ending up twelfth and then ninth.

They have not been as elevated as second in the top flight more than two matches into a season.

In addition to his impressive work in maintaining a successful squad, even when it appeared most of their key players were departing in the off-season, his strategies were perfect on Friday.

For six minutes he had 3 defenders on the pitch in place of four. And that changed the match.

Late in the game he brought on a winger for a defensive player. The score was 1-0 behind.

In the 85th minute, he substituted a winger for a defender. They were 2-1 ahead.

"We had to be bold and introduce more attacking personnel and it paid off," he said. "The players have to make the impact and in this match they made it."

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

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

Jamie Redknapp said: "He could coach every club in the sport.

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

"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the impossible, like reaching the Champions League spots? They merit it and anything is attainable as long as they retain the coach because he is such a major an asset for the team."

Cherries Handle Off-Season Overhaul in Their Stride

Many felt that the Cherries overachieved when they finished ninth last season – and for a period there was also speculation of European competition.

And then three of their back four – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – left for several the continent's elite clubs for almost £150m.

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