In a fitting finale to their 2024-25 Premier League campaign, Bournemouth delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over an already-relegated Leicester City at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Antoine Semenyo proved the hero for the Cherries, netting both goals in the second half to ensure Andoni Iraola’s side ended a rollercoaster season on a high, finishing ninth in the Premier League table with 56 points. For Leicester, the defeat marked a somber close to a disappointing campaign, with the Foxes finishing 18th on 25 points, their return to the Championship confirmed weeks ago.
The match began with Bournemouth asserting their dominance early, buoyed by a vibrant home crowd eager to see their team cap the season with a flourish. Despite their midweek 3-1 loss to Manchester City, which extinguished their hopes of European qualification, the Cherries showed no signs of lingering disappointment. Kepa Arrizabalaga, in goal, was rarely tested in the first half, as Leicester, under Ruud van Nistelrooy, struggled to find cohesion. The Foxes, missing key players like Jamie Vardy, who had played his final game for the club the previous week against Ipswich, and the injured Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Stephy Mavididi, lacked the cutting edge needed to challenge Bournemouth’s resolute defense.
The first half ended goalless, with Bournemouth’s attacking trio of Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, and Evanilson probing but unable to break the deadlock. Leicester’s Patson Daka, stepping in for Vardy, found himself isolated, with Kasey McAteer’s efforts to spark the attack thwarted by Bournemouth’s disciplined backline, led by Illia Zabarnyi and the departing Dean Huijsen, who made his final appearance before his move to Real Madrid.
The breakthrough came in the 88th minute, when Semenyo latched onto a precise through ball from Huijsen, who showcased his quality with a pinpoint pass. The Ghanaian winger, who has been linked with a summer move, cut inside and rifled a low shot past Leicester’s Jakub Stolarczyk, igniting celebrations at the Vitality. Just minutes later, Semenyo struck again, this time capitalizing on a defensive error to slot home his second, sealing the 2-0 scoreline. The goals underscored Bournemouth’s late-season resilience, despite a dip in form since February that saw them lose five of their last seven home games.
Leicester, meanwhile, offered little in response. Despite a recent uptick in form, with two wins in their last three matches, the Foxes were unable to replicate the fight shown in their 2-0 victory over Ipswich. Van Nistelrooy, whose future with the club remains uncertain amid reports of his potential departure, could only watch as his side failed to register a shot on target in the second half. The absence of Vardy, whose storied Leicester career ended the previous week, was keenly felt, with the team lacking a focal point in attack.
For Bournemouth, the victory was a testament to Iraola’s exciting brand of football, which has won plaudits throughout the season. The Cherries’ ninth-place finish marks a significant achievement, though speculation surrounds the futures of key players like Milos Kerkez and Semenyo, who could attract interest from bigger clubs. Huijsen, hailed by Iraola as a future star for Real Madrid, received a warm send-off from the Vitality faithful, his performance a reminder of his pivotal role in their campaign.
Leicester’s focus now shifts to rebuilding in the Championship, with potential points deductions looming due to alleged financial breaches. The match highlighted their struggles, particularly away from home, where they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet all season. Bournemouth, by contrast, head into the off-season with optimism, their attacking flair and defensive solidity offering hope for another strong campaign next term.