Semenyo Shines with Last-Minute Winner as Bournemouth Beats Spurs

Antoine Semenyo marked his 26th birthday in spectacular fashion, scoring the decisive goal in Bournemouth’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on January 7, 2024. This match is likely to be Semenyo’s final appearance for the club, as he is reportedly set to make a move to Manchester City, with the transfer fee expected to be around £65 million ($87.46 million).

The Ghanaian forward netted the winning goal with a curling right-footed shot past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario during stoppage time. His last-minute heroics triggered jubilant celebrations among fans, and he received a standing ovation as he was substituted shortly after scoring. With this goal, Semenyo reached an impressive milestone of 30 goals in 101 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth.

Reflecting on Semenyo’s performance, teammate Marcus Tavernier remarked, “That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.” Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, acknowledged the likelihood of Semenyo’s departure and praised his contribution to the team. “I think it was, unluckily for us, his last game,” Iraola stated. “He has been, if not the best, one of the best I have coached. He has improved every single season.”

Semenyo’s journey to this point has been marked by significant development, including successful loan spells at Newport County and Sunderland while he was with Bristol City. Iraola highlighted Semenyo’s all-around ability, stating, “He has scored 10 goals in half a season and 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.”

Bournemouth’s victory ended an unfortunate streak of 11 Premier League matches without a win, showcasing a resilient performance against Tottenham. The match began with Bournemouth falling behind due to a goal from Mathys Tel. However, they quickly turned the tide, with Evanilson and Junior Kroupi both finding the net before halftime.

In a notable moment, Tottenham had a penalty appeal overturned when Micky van de Ven was brought down in the area. The visitors eventually equalized with a spectacular overhead kick from Joao Palhinha. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the match, Semenyo’s late goal secured a memorable win for Bournemouth, who now look to build on this momentum.

For Tottenham, the defeat adds pressure to manager Thomas Frank, as the team currently sits in 14th place in the league. As Bournemouth fans celebrate Semenyo’s contribution, they must also brace for his potential departure, which marks a significant moment in the club’s ongoing evolution.