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Bournemouth fans must have feared a downturn when a significant number of key players left during the off-season.

But retaining one star turned out to be an total masterstroke, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to the runner-up position in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old found the net on two occasions and assisted one as the south coast club overturned a deficit to beat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, moving to within a single point of division leaders Liverpool.

His first strike to equalise was spectacular as he picked up the ball on the left wing, dodged defenders in his wake, advanced to the touchline and slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs from a narrow angle.

He then, he assisted Justin Kluivert's goal before scoring in injury time on a counter-attack.

This brings him up to sixth league goals this season, second only to Manchester City's generational striker the Norwegian.

From the start of last spring, he has been contributing in a greater number of goals than any other footballer in the Premier League (12 – 8 goals, four assists).

Impressive for a player the Robins signed from the local academy at the age of 17.

"It was a hard night to play football, but it didn't matter to Semenyo," remarked former England player the pundit on Sky Sports.

"He just moves across that surface. An incredible, special player. So fantastic to see.

"It makes no difference if it's his right, his left, makes no difference for him."

The Star in Flying Form

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While nearly 50% of Bournemouth's starting lineup departed during the summer, the forward was linked with transfers to United, Liverpool and Spurs.

However instead he agreed to a five-year deal back on 1 July.

This has turned out to be fantastic business for the Cherries, for he is among the form footballers in the Premier League currently.

Last season, the Ghanaian forward hit double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – 11 goals in the Premier League, 13 in all competitions.

Now, he has scored six goals in his first seven Premier League matches and set up three more.

Semenyo was questioned following the match if this was the best form of his life.

"Yeah, 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 appreciate him always."

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

The player is eligible for the Black Stars through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by Arsenal, Spurs and Millwall as a youngster before landing in a West Country academy run by former Leeds and Forest Green coach Dave Hockaday.

The Championship side signed him in 2017, but he required loan spells at Bath, County 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.

"In my opinion he is a footballer with self-belief," commented manager Andoni Iraola.

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

His statistics are exceptional now. He is first in the league for challenges successful, leading for ball recovered in the final third, runner-up for sprints and top five for runs with the ball. In addition to all those goals, naturally.

Team-mate Kluivert said: "He's amazing. He demonstrates it each match now. He is just top-tier."

'Iraola Can Manage Every Team'

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Bournemouth boss Iraola will be a manager in high demand when he decides to leave.

The 43-year-old, a Spanish coach, has been at the helm since 2023 after the unexpected sacking of Gary O'Neil.

Several were displeased initially, with Iraola not being a household name – and having only coached AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.

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

The club has never been as high as second place in the Premier League after two matches into a season.

Apart from his notable work in sustaining a winning squad, despite it seemed most of their stars were leaving in the summer, his strategies were perfect on matchday.

During a brief period he had three backline players on the pitch in place of four. And that turned the game.

In the 78th minute he introduced a attacker for a defensive player. The score was 1-0 down.

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

"It was necessary to take risks and put on more attacking players and it worked," he said. "Our squad have to make the impact and today they delivered it."

Kluivert said: "He is fantastic. If you consider also the guys that have left the club, how we are doing now is remarkable.

"I always say that the driver of the bus is the manager and he is driving us on a amazing path. Brilliant driver, so we follow him."

Redknapp stated: "Iraola can coach any club in the sport.

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

"Is it possible for them to keep achieving the unthinkable, like getting into the Champions League spots? They merit it and anything is possible as long as they keep the coach because he is such a major an advantage for the team."

Cherries Handle Off-Season Rebuild in Their Step

Several felt that the Cherries exceeded expectations when they finished ninth the previous campaign – and for a while there was even speculation of European competition.

And then 3 of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Dean Huijsen – departed for several Europe's elite teams for almost £150m.

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