Bournemouth

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

While Antoine Semenyo's late winner against Spurs made the headlines, another player who scored might soften the blow of his impending departure from Bournemouth.

Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, has emerged as an exciting glimpse of the future for the Cherries as he continued a dream debut Premier League season with their second goal on Wednesday.

That was his seventh of the season, making him the highest-scoring teenager in Europe's top five leagues.

Kroupi plays just behind striker Evanilson so is not a like-for-like replacement for Semenyo, who is often deployed in a wider role.

But certainly in terms of goals, he is looking the most likely player to plug the gap.

He has scored just three fewer goals than Semenyo, but has played considerably fewer minutes than the latter - 574 compared to 1,798.

Kroupi's team-mates are full of praise for the teenager, with team-mate Marcus Tavernier recently describing him as a "generational talent", adding: "The club has done an amazing job to pick Kroupi up.

"That boy has an unbelievable future ahead of him."

Unsurprisingly, Bournemouth have been linked with a number of players who could potentially fill the Semenyo-shaped hole and boss Andoni Iraola confirmed after the win against Spurs that the club are concentrating on sourcing reinforcements.

"We know we are very thin on numbers but I know the club is also working," he said. "We will have to be patient in this January market. I hope we can add more players.

"I try to analyse and explain to the club and we have a very good relationship. They understand what we need but it is not easy in the January market because nobody wants to lose players.

"I am sure the club will try to sign the best players they can."

Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu has been linked, although the Foxes are determined not to let him leave this month.

Another player performing well in the Championship, who is also a reported target, is Stoke City's Sorba Thomas. The Wales winger is the club's top scorer with nine league goals, while he has also provided six assists.

Germany winger Jamie Leweling, who plays for Stuttgart, has also been linked.

Read more on Semenyo's fairytale farewell

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

As the dust settles on the remarkable scenes at the end of Wednesday's game with Tottenham, it is time for Bournemouth to recall the past, celebrate the present – but also look ahead to the future.

Cherries supporters who were there for the dark days in the lower reaches of League Two in 2008 may recall ex-England midfielder Darren Anderton, in his final game before retirement, conjuring up a wonder goal in the dying minutes to hand Bournemouth a priceless win over fellow strugglers Chester City.

The 4,154 hardy souls who were there that day would have been dwarfed by the 11,212 at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday and many more watching live across the UK and abroad.

But it was another fairytale Roy of the Rovers finish, or more accurately Antoine of the Cherries, as Antoine Semenyo signed off his Bournemouth career with a superb 95th-minute strike to beat Spurs 3-2 and end a run of 11 games without a win.

With players at other clubs having allegedly threatened to go on strike to force through summer moves, or refused to play and risk injury, Semenyo's professionalism in continuing to give his all for the Cherries while the entire football world knew of his imminent move to Manchester City was hailed by ex-Scotland captain Rachel Corsie on BBC Radio 5 Live as "a model example of how to conduct yourself".

Boss Andoni Iraola praised "one of the best players I have ever coached", having inherited a back-up striker signed from Bristol City and pulled a masterstroke in switching him to a wide attacking role.

However, the Spaniard must now perform another act of alchemy to retool Bournemouth's forward line, with Semenyo on his way and Justin Kluivert requiring knee surgery.

Iraola has spoken about the difficulty of fitting both Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi into his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, but both were on target against Tottenham with Kroupi playing in the number 10 role usually occupied by Kluivert, while he has also featured out wide for France Under-21s.

Teenager Kroupi averages a goal every 82 minutes this season – putting him top of the Premier League charts by that metric, ahead of Erling Haaland (91 minutes) – and has been described by ex-England striker Daniel Sturridge on X, external as "already one of the best finishers in the Premier League", and is fast showing the sort of form which may make it impossible for Iraola to leave him out.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There are no two ways about it, Antoine Semenyo is going to be a big loss for Bournemouth.

He has been their biggest goal threat this season by some distance - scoring 41% of their goals in the Premier League and having the most shots of any Bournemouth player with 49, an impressive 27 of those on target.

"He will be a big miss with his quality but also the person he is in the changing room," added team-mate Marcus Tavernier.

"If that is to be his last moment we definitely have to find something else going forward."

Head coach Andoni Iraola added that it will be more than just goals they will miss when Semenyo departs.

"He has been if not the best, one of the best I have coached," he told BBC Sport.

"He has improved every single season. He has scored 10 goals in half a season and he's not even a number nine.

"It is not just the numbers but a lot of things - the physicality, the balls in the air and the defensive things. He will be a big miss."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised the way Semenyo has gone about things while talk of a move to Manchester City dominated the media.

"He has shown great mental strength - he has played every game and not made a fuss," Murphy said on Match of the Day.

"He deserves great credit for how he has conducted himself, and to score a winning goal on his last appearance - if it is his last appearance - what a way to go."

Read the full piece

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From Bristol City to Bournemouth, Alex Scott's playing days with Antoine Semenyo look like coming to an end after Manchester City closed in on a £65m deal for the 26-year-old.

After the Cherries' 3-2 victory over Tottenham, Scott told BBC Radio Solent that Semenyo had been unaffected by the transfer talk about him.

"He kept producing, kept playing his best football, and kept being Antoine," said Scott.

"Everything he has done here and what he has done in that game shows what he is like as a person and obviously a ridiculous player."

Scott and Semenyo both earned their professional debuts for Bristol City, with Bournemouth signing the duo separately in 2023.

Scott added: "I have been with him at Bristol City, and here as well. I have followed him everywhere. I can't get away from him.

"It will be nice to let him move on! We wish him all the best if he leaves.

"He is a credit to the club, himself and his family."

Listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Simon: Now that's a 'drop the mic' moment. Thank you, Antoine Semenyo for all the great memories. The Cherries proving too much against a valiant Spurs comeback.

Stephen: What a way to say goodbye to our star man. It couldn't have been better scripted. Cherries have gone through a rough patch, but the class has always been there. Time to start climbing up the table without our talisman. We have the players to do it and there will be new recruits joining this window.

James: I love Semenyo. He will be remembered. Hopefully, Bournemouth fans will remember him as a faithful legend rather than a traitor.

Patrick: All I want to say to Semenyo is thank you. We so needed that and your legacy over the past three years will not be forgotten.

Spurs fans

John: Another disappointing night for us all. The result proved, if it was further needed, that we are just not good enough at the minute. No lack of effort for the most part. Two fabulous goals but a dreadful lack of awareness, especially when Djed Spence came away with the ball on the counter, and just, without looking to see who was available, passed inside to a grateful Cherry. After a few passes, Antoine Semenyo showed his class.

Terry: Tottenham seem to have forgotten how to win games. I think Frank is getting what he deserves from his players, absolutely nothing. He makes the team selections and it just isn't working. Or should I say, his appointment as manager just isn't working. Things need to change, I wonder what will. Best of luck Spurs, you are going to need it.

Kevin: Absolutely awful game management again by Thomas Frank. Get back to 2-2 and throw away the game. Randal Kolo Muani should not be playing - he showed no interest or effort. The squad isn't good enough, however I'm not sure the manager is up to the task.

Tristen: Us fans need to understand how average this squad is. Thomas Frank has a tough job polishing this bunch as most of the squad are Championship players. Well done to Bournemouth and a great sign-off for Semenyo. Good luck to him!

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Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast that Antoine Semenyo's expected departure has been handled perfectly by all involved at Bournemouth:

"How he's conducted himself has been as a top-level professional. It is a model example of when you play for a side that you're proud to play for, you've worked hard to come through and contributed to their success of last season but you're in a position in the league table and had a bad run of games - but you've still done everything, you've contributed and had good character.

"That's something that's worth highlighting because, so often, you see the opposite where players want the move and dig their heels in."

Listen to the full Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth are interested in a loan move for Arsenalforward Ethan Nwaneri. However, the 18-year-old England Under-21 international's preference is to stay with the Gunners until the end of the season, even though he is struggling for first-team football. (Independent), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Antoine Semenyo took his time while walking back to the dugout after he was substituted following his injury-time winner for Bournemouth in the 3-2 victory against Tottenham.

He was absorbing the standing ovation from the Cherries faithful - perhaps for the last time.

The Ghana winger is expected to complete his move to Manchester City before Saturday after Pep Guardiola's side agreed to meet his £65m release clause.

If that is the case, what a parting gift it was from Semenyo on his 26th birthday.

He was passive for much of the contest and his biggest contribution in the first half was perhaps not getting a touch on Tavernier's cross which could have ruled out Bournemouth's second goal for offside - but he stepped up when he was needed yet again.

With Bournemouth searching for a winner in the stoppage time, David Brooks was forced to retreat from a busy Spurs box but Semenyo found a way through.

Receiving a pass from Brooks, he curled his shot from the edge of the box past a diving Djordje Petrovic as the Bournemouth faithful sang his name one last time.

It was his 10th goal this season, showing he is a player on the ascendancy after building on a 2024-25 campaign in which he contributed 11 goals and six assists.

Semenyo departs having with 32 goals and 13 assists from 110 appearances, since joining from Bristol City in 2023.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We needed this one. We have been very close in the last games. Football cannot every time go to the other side and today was the perfect moment, also for Antoine [Semenyo].

"To play the way he did, the commitment to help in whatever way until the last second. I think football has been fair and given him a lovely moment."

Was it Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth? "Unluckily for us, I think it was.

"He has been if not the best, one of the best I have coached. He has improved every single season.

"He has scored 10 goals in half a season and he's not even a number nine. It is not just the numbers but a lot of things - the physicality, the balls in the air and the defensive things.

"He will be a big miss."

• Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier, speaking to Sky Sports: "In a way, it is a relief [at winning].

"We've waited too long to feel this feeling again. It might not have been the prettiest of performances but we got the three points."

On Semenyo's fairytale winner: "If that is to be his last involvement for Bournemouth, there is no better way for it to go. That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.

"He will be a big miss with his quality, but also the person he is in the changing room.

"If that is to be his last moment, we definitely have to find something else going forward."

Did you know?

• Timed at 94 minutes 40 seconds, Semenyo scored Bournemouth's second-latest winning goal in a Premier League match, after Luis Sinisterra against Everton in August 2024 (95:37).

• No teenager has scored more goals in Europe's big five leagues this season than Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi (seven - level with Lamine Yamal pf Barcelona), and he is the first to score seven goals in their debut Premier League season since Dele Alli and Kelechi Iheanacho in 2015-16 (both eight).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Antoine Semenyo starts for Bournemouth in what could be his final game for the Cherries, with the winger expected to complete his Manchester City transfer this week.

Andoni Iraola makes two changes to the side that were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal with Eli Junior Kroupi and Lewis Cook coming in as injured Justin Kluivert and David Brooks drop out.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Cook, Senesi, Scott, Evanilson, Tavernier, Jimenez, Kroupi, Hill, Semenyo.

Subs: Forster, Soler, Brooks, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Milosavljevic, Rees-Dottin.

Mohammed Kudus is out injured for Tottenham but Xavi Simons returns to the starting line-up after a three-match suspension.

It's one of the five changes that Spurs boss Thomas Frank makes as Randal Kolo Muani, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall and Joao Palhinha are also back in the starting 11.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Palhinha, Simons, Tel, Bergvall, Romero, Porro, Spence, Bentancur, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Odobert, Davies, Scarlett, Williams-Barnett.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Bournemouth's latest recruit Fraser Forster has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark after signing at Vitality Stadium last week.

The 37-year-old has been without a club since leaving Wednesday's visitors Tottenham last summer but will provide competition for current incumbent Djordje Petrovic in the Cherries goal.

"It happened very quickly," he said. "I am delighted to be here, it's a fantastic club so it was a no-brainer for me. I can't wait to get stuck in.

"I am looking forward to helping the team the best I can, if that's playing or supporting. I am hoping to bring energy.

"I think with the way Bournemouth have been the past few season, you can really see the ambition of the club and the manager has been fantastic this season so far."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Embattled Tottenham boss Thomas Frank takes his side to the south coast with boos from his own supporters still ringing in his ears after the draw with Sunderland.

His side actually started Sunday's game with the kind of attacking verve and endeavour that their fans had been crying out for. But they failed to capitalise on an opening 45 minutes in which they had eight shots, four of which were on target.

Instead, they reverted back to the attack-shy side that has frustrated their fanbase under his management and led to chants of "Boring Boring Tottenham" in their 0-0 draw at Brentford.

Their season's average of just 9.9 shots per league game is the only campaign on record from 1997-98 onwards that they have averaged below 11 per match.

Spurs will again fall back on their strong away form, which can only be surpassed by leaders Arsenal this season. They have kept clean sheets in five of their 10 matches on the road, already exceeding last season's tally of four, and in both of their past two games at Crystal Palace and Brentford.

However, they will try to rectify their terrible record of failing to win any of their past 10 league fixtures played on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (drawn three, lost seven), dating back to January 2024.

One such defeat came at Vitality Stadium last season.

Bournemouth desperate to end their winless run

While not under anything like the same sort of pressure as Frank is, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will be feeling the heat after their winless run stretched to 11 matches (drawn five, lost six). It is their longest streak without a victory within a single top-flight campaign.

They put in very spirited performances in both the draw with Chelsea and defeat to byArsenal, but were again porous at the back.

They have let in 14 goals in their past five league matches with the form of new recruits, signed after they lost three of their back four and their goalkeeper over the summer, deserting them somewhat.

But anyone watching the Cherries this season cannot claim they are not getting value for money. Their league games have contained a total of 69 goals (31 for and 38 against), which is five more than other top-flight side.

One huge frustration for Iraola is that his side have scored at least twice in eight different league games in which they have failed to go on and win, including each of their past two against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Despite only just passing the halfway point of the season, it is already a new club record and there have only been a total of 11 instances of a team doing so more in Premier League history.

Bournemouth have gone 11 league games without a win but they have been unfortunate not to get over the line in a couple of those matches.

I always think the Cherries have got a goal in them and they showed that when I watched them draw 2-2 with Chelsea last week, then again against Arsenal on Saturday - albeit in a 3-2 defeat.

The Antoine Semenyo situation is fascinating, because we all know he is joining Manchester City this month but, after facing the Gunners, will he get another game for Bournemouth here?

Whether Semenyo plays or not, it is hard to back Tottenham at the moment.

It is also difficult to make a case that Spurs have really improved under Thomas Frank this season.

They are 13th at the moment and, when they were struggling under Ange Postecoglou this time last year, they were a place better off after 20 games and he was getting panned.

For whatever reason, it has just not clicked for them in the final third under Frank and I don't see that changing here.

Bournemouth won this fixture 1-0 last season, and also won 1-0 at Spurs in August. One goal should be enough for them this time, too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key headlines from his news conference:

• Justin Kluivert will have surgery on his left knee after being injured against Arsenal. Iraola said "it is very bad news" and he cannot not give a timescale for his return until the surgery has taken place on Thursday.

• He said "it could be" Antoine Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before his expected exit but there is "nothing agreed and nothing signed" yet.

• Iraola added Semenyo has "been very professional" about the situation and he will be "almost impossible to replace".

• On whether he is disappointed that Semenyo has chosen to leave: "Everyone has to make their own decisions. We are all different. I suppose when a big club comes calling, it's difficult. But we still don't know what is going to happen!"

• Centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic has returned to training, but Ryan Christie needs "more time" to continue his recovery as he still has some pain when kicking the ball.

• On the Cherries' recent results: "We are one of the teams that scores more goals and one of the teams that concedes more goals. We need to deal better inside our box."

• On the financial position of the club in this transfer window: "I don't know our financial fair play situation. I understand the club has to sell some players to position themselves better for the next windows. I am not part of those decisions as head coach. I try to help in the process when signing players but I am not involved in the economical side."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Iraola on BBC Sounds

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola believes Wednesday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur will be Antoine Semenyo's final game for the Cherries.

BBC Sport reported last week that Manchester City were in advanced talks with Bournemouth last week after agreeing to meet the winger's £65m release clause, which must be activated by 10 January.

Several top Premier League clubs have been linked with signing Semenyo in recent months.

Iraola received an update on the 25-year-old's future before his pre-match news conference on Tuesday.

He said: "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next two or three days, but I've asked before coming here just to tell me, otherwise I will look foolish there talking about Antoine and then [he leaves]. And that's the situation in this moment of the day.

"I think it could be the last game," added Iraola. "That is my personal opinion, but there is nothing agreed and nothing signed. It is my personal opinion as I understand the market and the noise but there is nothing agreed right now.

"He, right now, is our player and I hope it continues."

Iraola also said Semenyo is "almost impossible to replace".

Bournemouth were prepared to pay 40m euros (£34.7m) for Stuttgart and Germany winger Jamie Leweling as a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, who is closing in on a transfer to Manchester City, but the Bundesliga club rejected the Cherries' offer. (Sky Sports - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Sam Davis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Every man and his dog are aware that Bournemouth lost the entirety of their defensive unit from last season, but recently, it has allowed a relatively unknown name to take his opportunity.

Following the departures of elite centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi in the summer, the Cherries reacted by bringing in Bafode Diakite and Veljko Milosavljevic.

After an impressive few performances, Milosavljevic has been sidelined with a knee injury and, with Diakite still struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League, it was a dilemma as to who should partner Marcos Senesi in the Cherries' backline.

In recent games, Andoni has opted to give James Hill his opportunity and the young defender is grabbing it with both hands. Despite being chucked in at the deep end against both Chelsea and Arsenal, Hill has performed excellently and even added a calming presence to a somewhat shaky defence.

Given he has sat on the bench intently watching our style of play, there is something to be said about a player who can step in, knowing exactly what his manager requires for his centre-backs - so what he might lack in finesse he makes up for with know-how.

Having signed from Fleetwood in January 2022, the 23-year-old has always been seen as a backup player in the squad and has had loan spells at Hearts and Blackburn during his short time on the south coast.

After waiting in the wings for limited opportunities, he is starting to show his quality and could well be pivotal in solving the Cherries' defensive issues.

Given he has already accumulated caps at England Under-20 and Under-21 level, Hill evidently 'has something' and now may be the time that this shows itself on the main stage.

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external