In a recent Premier League showdown, Antoine Semenyo shone brightly as Bournemouth dispatched south-coast rivals Southampton, leaving them still in search of their first win of the season. The emphatic 3-1 triumph took place at the Vitality Stadium, adding another exciting chapter in the Bournemouth story.
The star for Bournemouth was the club’s biggest signing ever, Evanilson, who kickstarted this victory with his initial goal in English football via a volley. Soon after this momentous goal, Dango Ouattara chipped in by increasing the lead with a somewhat opportune goal.
Semenyo, a pivotal player in the first two goals, continued his display of excellence by scoring his season’s third goal in the 39th minute, effectively putting the game beyond Southampton’s reach. Southampton did manage to save face with Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header, but a comeback never really looked on the cards.
This defeat for Southampton is even more stinging as it further extends their unwanted record, with the side yet to register a win in the league for 19 games now, a bitter streak that goes back to the 2022-23 season. This lacklustre performance leaves them languishing at the bottom of the table with only a single point from six matches.
Making the trip west, Russell Martin’s embattled side were looking to put behind them a difficult start since their promotion. However, their hopes came unravelled as Bournemouth performed excellently from the start, taking the lead in the 17th minute and maintaining the momentum till the final whistle. Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, who was serving a one-match sideline ban due to three yellow cards, had the satisfaction of seeing his team’s impressive performance from the executive box.
In an impressive effort just inside the 18-yard box, Lewis Cook’s side-footed attempt, which was set up by an energetic Semenyo, ricocheted off Ouattara to score past Saints’ goalie Aaron Ramsdale. Semenyo, the lively winger, was a constant headache for the Saints and was on the brink of causing them an embarrassing defeat.
The Ghanaian international masterfully handled the ball 30 yards from the goal, skilfully bypassing Lesley Ugochukwu twice before unleashing a sharp, low-angled shot that nestled in the bottom left corner of the net. The Saints’ dissatisfied away crowd had to endure the gloating chants from Cherries’ supporters before they mocked their own team off the pitch at the conclusion of a dismal first half.
In response, Saints’ coach Martin made a trio of changes for the second half, bringing in Joe Aribo, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz to replace Ugochukwu, Fraser and Cornet. Six minutes into the resumed match, the travelling fans saw a ray of hope. Following a brilliant save by Cherries’ goalie Kepa from a Tyler Dibling’s free-kick header, Harwood-Bellis capitalized on a deflection from Ryan Christie on Mateus Fernandes’ cross to score.
This briefly sparked a revival in the game, but it didn’t last. Bournemouth comfortably secured their victory, recovering from losses against Chelsea and Liverpool, while dealing another blow to the embattled Southampton. The Saints are poised for a challenging match against Arsenal before the international break.