In a dramatic finale at the Vitality Stadium, Antoine Semenyo scored a 95th-minute winner for Bournemouth against Tottenham Hotspur, delivering a memorable parting gift to the club amid widespread reports of his impending transfer to Manchester City.
The thrilling 3-2 victory on Wednesday night ended Bournemouth’s 11-match Premier League winless streak and served as a potential final act for the Ghanaian forward in a Cherries shirt.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola had set the stage for an emotional evening before the match, confirming that while no deal was finalized, there was a significant chance the game against Spurs would be Semenyo’s last for the club. “For me, he is our player and I hope he continues,” Iraola stated. “My understanding… there is a chance this is his last game”.
This context transformed Semenyo’s late heroics into a storybook conclusion, with his right-footed drive from the left edge of the area arrowing into the far corner to settle a fiercely contested match.
The match itself was a rollercoaster, beginning with an early strike from Tottenham’s Mathys Tel in the fifth minute. Bournemouth responded with character, overturning the deficit before halftime with goals from Evanilson and the promising 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi.
Tottenham pushed hard in the second half, seeing a penalty decision overturned by VAR and a Richarlison header strike the post before João Palhinha equalized in the 78th minute with a spectacular overhead kick. As the match seemed destined for a draw, Semenyo, who had a relatively quiet evening, stepped up in stoppage time to secure a vital three points, with his goal timed at 94 minutes and 40 seconds.
Statistically, the victory highlighted Bournemouth’s persistent issues and strengths under Iraola. The manager had recently acknowledged that his daring, aggressive style comes at a cost, saying, “It’s quite easy to see our problems. We are one of the teams that scores more goals, but we’re one of the teams that concedes more goals too”.
This game was a perfect encapsulation, as defensive vulnerabilities were matched by relentless attacking output. For Tottenham, the defeat was a bitter pill, as they edged possession and total shots but fell to a late sucker punch.
Semenyo’s potential departure marks a significant moment for Bournemouth. Having joined from Bristol City, he developed into one of the league’s most formidable wingers, with his power, pace, and direct running causing constant problems for defenders.
This season, his nine Premier League goals place him behind only prolific scorers like Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago in the race for the Golden Boot. His development and impending big-money move are a testament to his impact on the south coast.
For Manchester City, the acquisition signals the recruitment of a proven Premier League force entering his prime. Semenyo’s profile as a powerful, two-footed winger who excels on the counter-attack fits the tactical diversity demanded at the top of the table.
His decisive final act for Bournemouth, under the intense pressure of transfer speculation, demonstrates a mental fortitude that will be valued at the Etihad Stadium.
As Bournemouth turns the page, the focus for Iraola shifts to reinvesting the transfer fee and filling the void left by a player whose final kick at the Vitality Stadium secured a long-awaited and emotionally charged victory.