In a dramatic finale at the Vitality Stadium, Antoine Semenyo scored a sensational 96th-minute winner to gift Bournemouth a vital 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The strike ended the Cherries' longest barren run in the Premier League era—a staggering 11 games without a win—and provided a perfect farewell for the forward ahead of his imminent move to Manchester City.
A Dream Departure for Semenyo
For the vast majority of his 26th birthday appearance, Antoine Semenyo had been a peripheral figure, notable only for receiving a yellow card. However, deep into added time, he seized a moment of destiny. Picking up the ball on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area, he unleashed a sublime, curling effort that flew past the despairing dive of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
The goal sparked wild celebrations, with Semenyo embarking on a knee-sliding celebration across the turf. It was a parting gift of the highest order for the club that nurtured him into one of English football's most potent attackers. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola admitted replacing the Ghanaian will be "almost impossible," but the victory at least sends him off in the best possible fashion.
Spurs' Early Lead Evaporates Before Late Drama
Tottenham, wearing black armbands in memory of club legend Martin Chivers, had taken a surprise early lead. Despite being without a host of key attackers including Dominic Solanke and James Maddison, they scored after just five minutes. Mathys Tel, making a rare start, cut inside from the left and expertly curled a finish into the far corner.
That advantage was short-lived. Bournemouth turned the game on its head before half-time with two well-worked goals. First, Evanilson marked his 50th Premier League appearance by heading home a Marcus Tavernier cross. Shortly after, another Tavernier delivery was pulled back by Marcos Senesi for teenager Junior Kroupi to tap in, taking his seasonal tally to seven.
Palhinha's Wonder Strike Overshadowed
The second half saw Spurs' frustrations grow, compounded by an injury to Lucas Bergvall. They thought they had a golden chance to equalise when Micky van de Ven won a penalty, but a VAR review showed the defender had initiated the contact, leading to the decision being overturned and a yellow card for Van de Ven.
With time running out, João Palhinha produced a moment of sheer brilliance, scoring a spectacular overhead kick from a corner to seemingly salvage a point for the visitors. Yet, there was one final twist. In the sixth minute of added time, Semenyo stepped up to write the final, decisive chapter, leaving Spurs to reflect on a miserable run of just two wins from their last 12 league outings.
Consequences for the Premier League Table
This result has significant implications for both ends of the table. For Bournemouth, the three points provide a massive psychological boost, lifting the gloom of their extended winless streak. For Thomas Frank's Tottenham, the problems are mounting. Their lack of cutting edge—evident in having the club's lowest average shots per game in over 25 years—was again exposed, leaving them mired in mid-table uncertainty.
