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Bournemouth fans must have worried about the worst when a significant number of first-team players departed during the off-season.

However retaining one star proved an absolute brilliant move, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the top flight.

Semenyo found the net on two occasions and assisted one as Bournemouth came from behind to defeat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, moving to within a single point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The opening strike to level the scores was spectacular as he collected the ball on the left wing, left defenders in his wake, took it to the touchline and fired the ball through Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow angle.

He then, he set up Justin Kluivert's goal before scoring in injury time on a fast break.

That brings him up to sixth league goals this campaign, second only to Manchester City's prolific goalscorer Erling Haaland.

Since the start of May, he has been contributing in more goals than any other footballer in the Premier League (12 – 8 goals, 4 assists).

Impressive 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 him," remarked former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.

"He just moves across that pitch. An incredible, special talent. So fantastic to see.

"Doesn't matter if it's right foot, left foot, makes no difference for him."

Semenyo in Flying Condition

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Although almost 50% of the club's first team departed during the summer, Semenyo was linked with transfers to United, Liverpool and Spurs.

However instead he agreed to a long-term contract back on 1 July.

This has proved to be fantastic business for the club, for he is among the in-form players in the Premier League right now.

In the previous campaign, the Ghanaian forward reached double figures for the first occasion in his career – 11 goals in the Premier League, thirteen in total.

Now, he has scored six goals in his opening 7 top-flight games and assisted an additional three.

He was asked after the match if this was the best form of his life.

"Yes, I'd like to think so," he said. "I thank God massively. He has had a massive role in my life and I'm just enjoying the benefits now. So yeah, I appreciate him constantly."

Many clubs regretting they had taken the risk on him before.

The player is eligible 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 teenager before ending up in a regional academy run by former United and Forest Green manager Dave Hockaday.

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

Earlier last year, he made the £10m transfer to the Cherries – and he has been improving ever since.

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

"It has been growing with him. He has played in different divisions, working his way into the top division. He is extremely fundamental for us."

His statistics are exceptional now. He is top in the Premier League for challenges won, leading for ball recovered in the final third, second for high-speed runs and among the best for dribbles. In addition to all those goals, naturally.

Team-mate Kluivert said: "He's incredible. He demonstrates it every game these days. He is just top-tier."

'The Manager Can Coach Every Team'

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

He, a Spanish manager, has been in charge since last year after the surprise sacking of his predecessor.

Many were displeased at the time, with Iraola not being a household name – and having only managed Cyprus, Spain and Rayo Vallecano.

But the appointment has been a outstanding success, with the club finishing 12th and then ninth.

They have never been as high as second place in the top flight after two games into a campaign.

In addition to his impressive work in maintaining a successful squad, despite it seemed all their key players were leaving in the summer, his tactics were perfect on Friday.

For six minutes he had 3 backline players on the field in place of 4. And that turned the match.

In the 78th minute he brought on a attacker for a defender. They were 1-0 down.

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

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

Kluivert commented: "He is incredible. If you see also the guys that have departed the club, how we are doing now is incredible.

"I often say that the driver of the bus is the manager and he is driving us on a crazy route. Amazing leader, so we trust him."

Redknapp said: "He can manage every team in the sport.

"He improves individuals, everything they do is thrilling. They have to enjoy him while he is here. How long? It's uncertain?

"Can they keep doing the impossible, like getting into the top six? They deserve it and anything is possible as long as they keep the manager because he is that big an advantage for the club."

Bournemouth Handle Off-Season Rebuild in Their Step

Several felt that the Cherries overachieved when they ended in ninth place last season – and for a while there was even speculation of European competition.

And then three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – left for some of the continent's top teams for almost £150m.

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