Bournemouth

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  1. Iraola on Brooks' issue, replacing Semenyo and busy transfer windowpublished at 14:48 GMT 15 January

    Josh Lobley
    BBC Sport journalist

    Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his chat with BBC Radio Solent:

    • Iraola says his squad will "continue be thin" for Monday's match, adding: "David Brooks has some issues with his ankle, I don't know if he will be available. Ryan Christie is on the positive side, we could recover him."

    • He added that Enes Unal's injury is not major, and hopes he will only be out for two or three weeks.

    • On how he can replace the output of Antoine Semenyo: "We need players in his position and the club is working on it. We also need players already here to step up. It is not going to be just one; it will be a collective."

    • Iraola was reluctant to say much about the club's links to Hungarian midfielder Alex Toth, but said on the window in general: "We are open to a lot of situations in January. You are not going to find the perfect player but you have to be open-minded."

    • When asked how many players could arrive at Vitality Stadium this month: "We could sign two, three, four. In our heads, three is probably the number we have because we need to replace three positions."

    • On why Brighton are "so difficult to prepare for", Iraola said: "They have so many different routes to goal. They like to change their starting 11. In the last 30 minutes of games they have a plus-10 goal difference which is massive. It says a lot about the subs, who keep or even increase their level."

    • He was asked if he enjoys the Monday night slot of Premier League football: "I love to play late at night because I think proper football is played at night. But I get more nervous when we are not playing [over the weekend] when you are looking at the other results."

    Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

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

  2. Faivre returns from loan to join French side Auxerre published at 14:48 GMT 15 January

    Romain Faivre #21 of AFC Bournemouth Image source, Getty Images

    AFC Bournemouth midfielder Romain Faivre has returned from a loan spell in Saudi Arabia to join French side Auxerre on loan until the end of the season.

    The 27-year-old was previously on loan with Al Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League, making five league appearances and scoring one goal.

    Faivre joined Bournemouth in July 2023 for a fee of £12.8m, before immediately moving on loan to FC Lorient.

    However, in January 2024 he joined back up with the Cherries squad after his loan spell was cut short.

    He spent last season on loan with Stade Brest where he made 32 appearances across all competitions, but has made just six appearances for Bournemouth since joining,

  3. How Bournemouth's shootout loss 'completed a circle of sorts'published at 08:24 GMT 15 January

    Mark Mitchener
    BBC Sport Senior Journalist

    Newcastle's Anthony Gordon scores a penalty against BournemouthImage source, PA Media

    Bournemouth's exit from the FA Cup on penalties at Newcastle United completed a circle of sorts, as the two sides had contested the first televised FA Cup penalty shootout in January 1992.

    Before the 1991-92 season, drawn FA Cup ties were replayed, again and again, until a winner was found. The record was set by non-league duo Alvechurch and Oxford City in 1971-72, when five replays were needed to settle their fourth qualifying round tie.

    Second replays onward were often played at neutral venues, in front of much-reduced crowds. For Bournemouth's part, they played Torquay at Bristol City's Ashton Gate (1932), Ipswich at Arsenal's Highbury (1952), Watford at Swindon's County Ground (1967), Blackpool at Aston Villa's Villa Park (1972), Gillingham at Brentford's Griffin Park (1974) and Colchester at Watford's Vicarage Road (1977) in cup competitions.

    Fast forward to 1991-92 when penalties were imposed after one replay. Having beaten Bromsgrove Rovers and Brentford in the first two rounds, Bournemouth were handed a third successive home tie against Newcastle. A goalless draw at Dean Court was followed by a replay at St James' Park which was abandoned after 17 minutes because of (literally) fog on the Tyne.

    So eight days later, the sides tried again and as it was the only Cup tie on that night, it was naturally chosen for live broadcast by Sky Sports, with extended highlights on BBC One's Sportsnight.

    1992's viewers were treated to an entertaining 2-2 draw and, as in 2025-26, one of Newcastle's first five penalties in 1992 was blazed too high, while another was saved by the Cherries goalkeeper diving to his right.

    However, Bournemouth's 2026 penalty takers were not able to match the success from 12 yards enjoyed by their counterparts from 1992 (who scored four spot-kicks out of four to complete a 4-3 win) and the Magpies booked their place in the next round.

    It ends a run of five successful penalty competitions for the Cherries, whose previous loss in a shootout was to Portsmouth in the Football League Trophy in 2012.

    Since then, they had overcome Preston (2015), Forest Green (2019), Crystal Palace (2020) and Norwich (2022) in the League Cup, as well as Wolves in last season's FA Cup fifth round.

  4. Gusto should have conceded penalty for handball, panel sayspublished at 16:13 GMT 13 January

    Dale Johnson
    Football issues correspondent

    Malo Gusto of Chelsea Image source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth should have been awarded a penalty at Chelsea for handball by Malo Gusto, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has said.

    Marcus Tavernier played a ball into the penalty area in the 54th minute. It hit the raised arm of Gusto as it dropped over his head but referee Sam Barrott waved away the penalty claims.

    The game at Stamford Bridge on 30 December was 2-2 at the time, with no further goals scored.

    The KMI Panel voted 4-1 that Barrott should have given the spot-kick and 3-2 that the video assistant referee (VAR), Craig Pawson, was wrong not to intervene.

    The panel felt that "the ball hit the 'red zone' of his arm that was raised in an unjustifiable position".

    The 'red zone' relates to a part of the arm which is considered a handball offence.

    Yet Chelsea were denied a penalty against Aston Villa in similar circumstances just three days earlier. The KMI Panel unanimously voted it was correct not to give a spot-kick against Ian Maatsen. It happened in the 75th minute with the score 1-1, with Chelsea falling to a late Chelsea falling to a late 2-1 defeat.

    It is the second time this season that Gusto has incorrectly escaped a VAR penalty. He caught the head of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh with his boot on 27 September.

    Chelsea have benefited most from VAR errors this season, with three of the 13 which have been logged. The third is Fulham's wrongly disallowed goal at 0-0 in a game Chelsea went on to win 2-0.

    Bournemouth have suffered two mistakes. The second was a missed red card for West Ham's Max Kilman in the 66th minute of the 2-2 draw on 22 November.

    But Bournemouth have also gained, as Marcos Senesi should twice have received red cards for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity against Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

  5. How do Bournemouth ensure this season is seen as positive?published at 11:35 GMT 13 January

    Tom Jordan
    Fan writer

    Bournemouth fan's voice banner
    Andoni IraolaImage source, Getty Images

    Following defeat in the FA Cup at the first round of asking, the Cherries have to park any dream of cup glory, having also failed at the first hurdle in this season's Carabao Cup.

    This will therefore be one of the club's fewest games in a full season, which is probably not too concerning considering Andoni Iraola's side's current lack of squad availability.

    It remains to be seen how active the club will be in this month's transfer window but following key departures and a significant number of injuries, the squad is looking thin and in need of some fresh bodies.

    So how do Bournemouth ensure this season is still seen in a positive light and that they're continuing to show clear progression?

    Last campaign's ninth-placed finish and record points tally of 56 feels tough to beat but definitely feasible.

    Iraola's men sit on a respectable 26 points, meaning a slightly improved second half of the season could well put the Cherries on track to still show a clear upward trajectory on the pitch.

    This season was always going to be a demanding one. On Saturday, the side performed admirably at Newcastle in a game that was almost a year to the day of that special 4-1 Premier League win at St James' Park.

    Cherries had only three players that played both this weekend and in January 2025, one of them being an academy player - so the squad turnover has been high, perhaps underlining that adaptation and patience has always been required by supporters as Bournemouth aim to stay consistent amid high churn.

    So what is possible? A top half and pushing towards last season's points tally? It may be a tall order, but it's one which Bournemouth are more than capable of delivering on.

    Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

  6. 'Penalties is a lottery' - Tavernierpublished at 11:45 GMT 12 January

    Marcus Tavernier makes a runImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier says they "showed great courage" against Newcastle in Saturday's FA Cup third round shootout defeat.

    Substitute Tavernier got in between Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw to poke home in stoppage time and level at 3-3, taking the game to penalties, only for Newcastle to win the shootout and a place in the fourth round.

    "When it goes to penalties it is a lottery for the next round," Tavernier told BBC Radio Solent. "We couldn't find the luck to make it happen, but I thought we performed well.

    "We made another good account of ourselves to move forward in the coming weeks.

    "The games with Newcastle are always energetic, we are two teams that like running and press high.

    "I think we handled them very well and showed great courage in going forward and defending.

    "Even though we were 3-2 down, I knew I hadn't had a chance yet so I was asking for the lads to give me the ball. I felt like I could get one and we kept battling until the end because we know anything can happen.

    "After 120 minutes, there is a lot of tired legs out there but I felt fresh and knew that if I kept working hard then a chance would come."

    Listen to Tavernier on BBC Sounds

  7. Newcastle 3-3 Bournemouth (7-6 on pens) - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:35 GMT 12 January

    Your opinions graphic
    Media caption,

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Newcastle and Bournemouth.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Newcastle fans

    Richard: That penalty shootout became a must win for Newcastle. Had we lost after conceding that ridiculous late goal I think it would have been a real confidence killer for us. That said, the simple fact is we just don't seem to have any consistency at all this season. With the smallest of margins we have won our last two matches. It could have easily been a very different set of results. Any chance we could just have a nice undramatic 2-0 win sometimes, please?

    Barry: I was there! Lots of positives for both sides. Great determination from us to take the lead, but we must learn to manage the game from that point. Bournemouth players were exhausted! Gordon, Tonali, Hall, Botman, Miley, Barnes and Ramsey were inspirational.

    Phil: Could've been the second 4-3 in the space of a week! Last thing Newcastle needed was 120 minutes of draining football but at least they won and are in the hat for the next round.

    Geoff: Brilliant performance. Exciting all the way through. Watching the penalties my nerves are shot. This new Newcastle never gives up. Fantastic to see.

    Bournemouth fans

    Neil: So proud of the boys, Wednesday was a rollercoaster and so emotional with the fairy tale ending scripted in the stars. No shame being knocked out on pens. Fabulous effort and matched Eddie's boys toe to toe. If we recruit well with the proceeds of Semenyo's sale we will be fine.

    Andrew: Considering the squad we had available, that was a pretty reasonable performance. Had enough chances to win it too.

    Pete: Great performance guys, never gave up, a credit to all concerned. Worth the trip. Considering all the changes you all put on a fabulous display, well done! Keep the faith, us supporters will.

  8. Unal 'out for some time' with muscle injury - Iraolapublished at 11:22 GMT 11 January

    Enes Unal lying on his back injured with his hands on his headImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola says Enes Unal will be out for at least a few weeks after going off injured in Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Newcastle.

    The forward, who recently returned from an ACL injury, started at St James' Park for the first time in over a year.

    However, his return was short lasting and he was forced off in visible pain with a muscle injury after just 29 minutes played.

    "He felt the right abductor," said Iraola to BBC Radio Solent. "It is a shame because it has nearly been one year without playing and he was in the process of re-gaining his form and now he is going to be out.

    "I think it is a muscle injury. Abductor is not the worst compared to a hamstring or quad, but three weeks is always the minimum. He needs to be assessed but I think he will be out for some time."

    Unal's latest setback adds to Bournemouth's injury woes this season but Iraola is hopeful Ryan Christie could return for their next game at Brighton on Monday, 19 January.

  9. Watch FA Cup highlights and analysispublished at 09:13 GMT 11 January

    Match of the Day FA Cup Highlights logo

    Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

    Watch on BBC iPlayer here

    And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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  10. Bournemouth analysis: Hope even without Semenyopublished at 19:26 GMT 10 January

    Ciaran Kelly
    Football reporter

    Petrović and Marcos Senesi of BournemouthImage source, Getty Images

    This was the first glimpse of life without Antoine Semenyo for Bournemouth after the club's top scorer completed his £65m move to Manchester City on Friday.

    Semenyo was undoubtedly Bournemouth's talisman, but this side showed they had plenty of firepower and spirit at St James' - even without him.

    There were a series of moments where injury-hit Bournemouth, who have not won away since August, could have crumbled.

    Not least after Newcastle scored to make it 1-0, levelled to make it 2-2 and went ahead again to make it 3-2.

    But each time Bournemouth came roaring back.

    That will give Andoni Iraola comfort even in defeat.

    But Bournemouth could still do with some reinforcements this month after striker Enes Unal hobbled off on a rare start to join Justin Kluivert, Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie on the sidelines.

  11. Newcastle 3-3 Bournemouth (7-6 on pens): What Iraola saidpublished at 19:21 GMT 10 January

    Andoni IraolaImage source, Getty Images

    AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Radio Solent after the penalty shootout defeat to Newcastle: "This is the FA Cup. I'm very proud of being part of this game because, it is true we are out of the competition, but I don't think we can ask much more of the players. I think we gave everything.

    "Even in the shootout, we were for a moment in front, but it was not meant to be.

    "The team that finished the game, we probably didn't have a lot of [penalty] specialists. After the first two or three penalties, it was a matter of choosing between players that have probably never taken a penalty, or very few times. You never know how they will react."

    Did you know?

    • Bournemouth's David Brooks has been directly involved in three goals in his last four games in all competitions (two goals, one assist), more goals and assists than in his previous 36 matches combined (one).

    Listen to Iraola on BBC Sounds

  12. Newcastle 3-3 Bournemouth (7-6 on pens) - send us your thoughtspublished at 17:57 GMT 10 January

    Have your say banner
    Media caption,

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

    Have your say on Newcastle's performance

    What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

    Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

  13. Newcastle v Bournemouth: Team newspublished at 14:13 GMT 10 January

    Newcastle starting team lineup

    Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa start together for the first time as Newcastle United ring the changes for the visit of Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

    Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock also come into the side as head coach Eddie Howe makes seven changes.

    Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Livramento, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Wissa, Woltemade, Barnes.

    Subs: Pope, Hall, Joelinton, Gordon, A.Murphy, Guimaraes, Neave, Miley, Alabi.

    Injury-hit Bournemouth make six changes as manager Andoni Iraola begins life without Antoine Semenyo following his move to Manchester City.

    Julio Soler, Bafode Diakite, Adam Smith, Amine Adli, David Brooks and Enes Unal are all recalled following the midweek win against Tottenham Hotspur.

    Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Scott, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Hill, Unal.

    Subs: Forster, Truffert, Senesi, Evanilson, Tavernier, Jimenez, Milosavljevic, Rees-Dottin, Gonzalez.

    Bournemouth starting lineup graphic
  14. Follow Saturday's FA Cup games livepublished at 11:27 GMT 10 January

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    An image detailing how to follow your team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

    There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

    Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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  15. Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Bournemouthpublished at 18:46 GMT 9 January

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    I just wonder how much Wednesday night's epic game against Leeds will have taken out of Newcastle, who have got the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Manchester City coming up next week too.

    There was also plenty of late drama in Bournemouth's win over Tottenham, but my concern with the Cherries is more about the effect of Antoine Semenyo's departure, because it appears he has played his last game for them.

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe does not have a great record against his old club in the Premier League, where he has not got the better of them in seven attempts, but he did beat them in the Carabao Cup in 2022.

    I was tempted to go for a Bournemouth win here, but I am not sure how many changes Andoni Iraola will make either.

    The one thing I am sure of is that there will be a few goals flying in, because of the way both teams play. Let's go for another thriller, with a shootout to settle it.

    Sutton's prediction: 3-3 aet, Newcastle win on penalties

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  16. Iraola on Semenyo, Evanilson & the January marketpublished at 11:22 GMT 9 January

    Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Evanilson and Enes Unal finished the Tottenham game with "some issues" and are being assessed. Iraola hopes they will be fit to play in the FA Cup, "but cannot guarantee".

    • On the manner of Antoine Semenyo's departure to Manchester City on Friday: "I have been talking to Antoine lately and trying to convince him that if he's going to leave that he should do that in a proper way. I think he has performed and dealt with the situation very, very well. We hope the best for him."

    • Iraola clarified that Semenyo's future has only been decided very recently: "The truth is, until the last day, nothing was really agreed. There have been more clubs involved. I was expecting him to leave but it was not a clear situation until the end."

    • Iraola said that although he sometimes speaks with managers and technical directors from other clubs, he did not talk to Pep Guardiola about Semenyo: "I don't think there's a lot of secrets in Antoine. His level is quite clear and what he can do."

    • On how he will select the line-up for the trip to Newcastle: "It's a tricky moment for us because we are in a delicate situation. Numbers-wise, we have 15 outfield players. We have to choose the combinations very well to think how we can be competitive."

    • On the "disappointment" of drawing Newcastle, having been "unlucky" to face "the only big, big club" left - Manchester City - in last season's quarter-final: "The only chance we have right now is to play a very, very good game, go ahead somehow, and earn the right to be in the next draw."

    • On how he assesses transfer options that are offered to him but he has not seen before: "You have to try and help the club, but a player you have seen in an one-hour video is not the same value as the feedback that you can give on a player you know. I have to trust the club in these times."

    • On being flexible in a limited January market: "Probably, we are not going to find the perfect profile for what we need. We have to try to find the closest one of a different profile, but maybe the level of the player is better so we can change the position of some of the players we already have."

    You can listen to Andoni Iraola's press conference in full on BBC Sounds

    Listen to live commentary of Saturday's game from 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

    Find out how to follow all of the weekend's FA Cup action here

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

  17. 'I'll never forget and I'm always grateful' - Semenyo message to fanspublished at 09:48 GMT 9 January

    Back of Antoine Semenyo celebrating in front of Bournemouth flagImage source, Getty Images

    Antoine Semenyo has thanked "special" Bournemouth fans for their support but feels now is the "right time to end this chapter" after completing his £65m move to Manchester City on Friday.

    The 26-year-old, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for around £10m in January 2023, leaves the club with 32 goals and 13 assists from 110 appearances in all competitions - the last of which came in the home win over Tottenham on Wednesday.

    In a video posted on his X account, external, Semenyo said: "As you know, there has been a lot of rumours and speculation with regards to a transfer and I want you guys to be the first to know that I am leaving the football club.

    "It has been an incredible three years. I came here as a young boy, wanting to learn, have ambition and hunger.

    "I just want to say the Bournemouth fans deserve a special shoutout. You guys have been special to me, you've been great. You've supported me, backed me and gave me all the confidence in the world that I needed as a player and I just want to thank you for that. I'll never forget and I'm always grateful.

    "Finally, I want to thank my team-mates, management, staff. The last two years have been great. We have achieved record points and it's been unbelievable. We've got such a special group here and I will never forget every single individual. They've played their part.

    "Now I feel like it's the right time to end this chapter and start a new one with a new club. I feel like this decision hasn't been taken lightly. I've considered everything, but I feel like it is the right time to move on."

  18. How might Bournemouth replace Semenyo?published at 18:03 GMT 8 January

    Gary Rose
    BBC Sport journalist

    Antoine Semenyo warms up before a Bournemouth matchImage 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

  19. Semenyo's professionalism pays off, but Iraola must retool forward linepublished at 15:09 GMT 8 January

    Mark Mitchener
    BBC Sport Senior Journalist

    Antoine Semenyo and Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth embrace each other 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.