There’s a new buzz around Bournemouth, and it’s not just the salty sea air rolling in from the south coast. On Friday night, the Cherries delivered another statement performance at the Vitality Stadium, dispatching Fulham 3-1 and pushing themselves into joint third place in the Premier League table after seven games. For a club tipped by many to struggle after a summer of upheaval, Bournemouth’s early-season form is turning heads and raising expectations among their faithful supporters.
Let’s rewind to the start of this campaign. Skepticism was rife. After last season’s impressive ninth-place finish—the club’s best ever in the top flight—Bournemouth lost much of their regular defensive unit. Only Adam Smith, the ever-reliable stalwart, remained from the old guard, and even he missed four of the first seven league matches due to injury. The departures left fans and pundits alike wondering if the Cherries could maintain their momentum, especially with so many new faces needing to adapt to manager Andoni Iraola’s specific, high-octane style of play.
But the new arrivals have settled in at breakneck speed. Djordje Petrovic, brought in to shore up the goalkeeping position, has already looked like an upgrade on all three departing keepers from last season. In the heart of defense, Bafode Diakite has slotted in seamlessly alongside Marcos Senesi, while left back Adrien Truffert has been hailed as an "adult version" of the departing Milos Kerkez—a nod to his composure and maturity on the pitch.
The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite fielding a backline that’s still learning each other’s tendencies, Bournemouth have looked harder to break down than ever before. And while the Cherries have always had goals in them—thanks in part to Iraola’s attacking philosophy—it’s their newfound defensive resilience that’s catching the eye.
Friday’s clash with Fulham was a perfect showcase of this new Bournemouth. The visitors struck first, with Ryan Sessegnon breaking the deadlock in the second half. For a moment, it looked like the Cherries’ home crowd might be in for a nervy finish. But Antoine Semenyo had other ideas.
Just eight minutes after Fulham’s opener, the 25-year-old Ghanaian forward levelled the scores, sending a jolt of energy through the Vitality Stadium. The game was finely poised, but Bournemouth’s belief never wavered. In the 84th minute, Justin Kluivert—whose own adaptation to Premier League football has been smooth—put the hosts ahead with a clinical finish.
As the clock ticked deep into injury time, it was Semenyo again who put the result beyond doubt, netting his second goal of the night and securing all three points for the Cherries. The Vitality erupted, and with good reason—Bournemouth’s comeback was as much about grit as it was about flair.
“Bournemouth retreated after taking the lead and Semenyo’s role changed to that of a left wing-back with Truffert forming a back three alongside Bafode Diakite and substitute Veljko Milosavljevic,” noted The Athletic’s Anantaajith Raghuraman. That tactical switch was a masterstroke, showcasing Semenyo’s adaptability and the squad’s collective buy-in to Iraola’s system.
It’s not just Bournemouth fans taking notice. Semenyo’s standout performance—his brace, his work rate, his tactical flexibility—has reportedly put him on the radar of several Premier League heavyweights, including Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. United manager Ruben Amorim, known for demanding tactical versatility from his players, is said to be particularly intrigued by Semenyo’s ability to shift roles in real time, adapting to the needs of the match as they unfold.
That interest is more than just idle transfer gossip. Semenyo, who only inked a new contract with Bournemouth in the summer that keeps him at the club until 2030, has become a symbol of the Cherries’ new identity: hungry, flexible, and unafraid to punch above their weight.
Of course, it’s early days. Seven games into a long Premier League season, there’s plenty of football still to be played. But Bournemouth’s joint third-place standing is no fluke. Their performances have been built on a solid foundation—one that’s weathered the loss of key defenders, integrated new signings at pace, and harnessed the attacking talents of players like Semenyo and Kluivert.
Andoni Iraola deserves immense credit for steering the ship through choppy waters. His willingness to trust new signings and tweak his tactics on the fly has paid dividends. Fans who feared a drop-off after last year’s heroics are now daring to dream bigger. Is it too soon to talk about a best-ever finish? Maybe. But as one local columnist put it, “I certainly don’t believe it’s fanciful for Bournemouth fans to start dreaming that their best ever top-flight finish may be around the corner.”
Meanwhile, the squad’s depth is being tested early, with Adam Smith still working his way back from injury. Yet, the replacements have shown they’re up to the challenge. Truffert’s maturity at left back, Diakite’s composure in central defense, and Milosavljevic’s ability to slot into a back three have all contributed to a defensive unit that looks increasingly difficult to break down.
The Cherries’ resurgence has also been fueled by a sense of unity and belief. The players are buying into Iraola’s philosophy, and the results are plain to see. The atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium on Friday was electric, with fans roaring their team on to another memorable victory.
As the season heads into the international break, Bournemouth supporters have every reason to feel optimistic. The team sits among the league’s elite, their new signings are thriving, and their star forward is attracting admiring glances from some of the biggest clubs in England. With Iraola at the helm and Semenyo leading the line, the Cherries are showing they’re not just here to make up the numbers—they’re here to compete.
With plenty of matches still to play, the question now is just how high this Bournemouth side can climb. For now, their fans are enjoying the ride, and who can blame them? The Cherries’ dream start continues, and the rest of the Premier League is starting to take notice.
