AFC Bournemouth is shocking the Premier League by climbing to an incredible second place after a thrilling 3-1 comeback win against Fulham. 

The team fell behind in the 70th minute, but star player Antoine Semenyo changed the game, scoring twice and setting up Justin Kluivert’s goal in a dominant final twenty minutes. 

Semenyo’s success, which follows a journey where he was overlooked by many top clubs, highlights the bold vision of manager Andoni Iraola, who has turned the team into genuine high-flying contenders despite selling key players last summer.

The match at Vitality Stadium began in challenging conditions, with heavy rain lashing the pitch. 

Fulham, focused on a defensive game, managed to break the deadlock in the 70th minute when Ryan Sessegnon found the net. 

For a long period, it looked as though Fulham boss Marco Silva’s game plan—to frustrate the hosts—was working.

However, the final twenty minutes saw a complete reversal, driven by Semenyo’s individual brilliance. 

The 25-year-old winger equalized in the 78th minute with a moment of true ingenuity. 

Collecting the ball near the byline on the left flank, he successfully dribbled past two defenders before firing a low shot through Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s legs from a highly challenging angle.

Just six minutes later, Semenyo turned provider, delivering a precise assist that allowed Justin Kluivert to unleash a powerful 30-yard shot into the top corner. 

Semenyo then capped off his stellar evening in stoppage time (90+6′), sealing the 3-1 victory by racing clear on a counter-attack and tapping home the final goal. 

The remarkable comeback, secured in front of the 11,165 fans, cemented Bournemouth’s best-ever start to a top-flight campaign.

Silva lamented the sudden turn of events, stating his team had been in control until the late drama. 

“The game was completely under control… no chances at all from them, and two individual moments decided the game, really.”

Semenyo’s journey to Premier League stardom has been one of perseverance. 

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, he was famously rejected by major London clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham, and Millwall as a youth. 

He eventually found his break at Bristol City’s academy, with loan spells at clubs like Newport County and Sunderland helping to refine his raw potential.

His career truly took off after his £10 million transfer to Bournemouth in January 2023. 

This season, Semenyo has exploded, with six goals and three assists in just seven appearances. 

This phenomenal tally places him second in the league for total goal contributions (nine), only behind Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland. 

His form since May has been unparalleled, leading the Premier League with 12 direct goal involvements (eight goals, four assists).

The statistics reflect his dominance, as he is a league leader in metrics like duels won and possessions regained in the final third. 

Post-match, Kluivert was effusive in his praise, calling his teammate “incredible” and “world class.” 

Semenyo himself credits a shift in mentality for his current success. 

“In previous seasons I’ve always hit the ball too quickly,” he explained to Sky Sports. “In the off-season, I’ve been working on being calm, collected, and placing it in the corner.”

Semenyo represents Ghana internationally through his father, having debuted in 2022 and featuring in the World Cup that year. 

His rising profile was further underscored by his recent participation in the official launch of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match ball.

The foundation for this success lies in the tactical vision of manager Andoni Iraola. 

Since his 2023 arrival, the 43-year-old Basque coach has transformed Bournemouth from consistent relegation contenders into an aggressive, high-pressing, top-half side, guiding them to a 12th and then a ninth-place finish. 

His bold, attacking substitutions against Fulham—swapping defenders for wingers—proved critical, a decision he later justified: “We had to take risks and put on more offensive players, and it worked.”

Despite losing key defenders like Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez in the summer of 2025, which brought in over £200 million in transfer fees, Iraola’s shrewd rebuilding has been effective. 

He reinforced the squad with talent such as Bafode Diakite, Djordje Petrovic, Amine Adli, and Ben Doak. 

The team’s new core, featuring ever-presents like Adrien Truffert and Marcos Senesi, has seen the Cherries top the league in overall possessions won, duels contested, and recoveries, demonstrating the success of Iraola’s high-intensity style.

Former England international Jamie Redknapp praised the manager on Sky Sports, noting, “He improves players, everything they do is exciting… Can they keep doing the unthinkable, like getting into the top six? They deserve it.” 

As the team looks ahead to challenging fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City, the blend of Iraola’s tactics, the team’s grit, and Semenyo’s flair leaves fans wondering: just how high can this fairy tale go?