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The Cherries fans must have worried about the worst when £200m worth of key players departed during the summer.

But keeping hold of one star proved an total masterstroke, as the Ghanaian forward has been the catalyst for their climb to the runner-up position in the top flight.

Semenyo found the net twice and provided one as the south coast club came from behind to beat the Cottagers 3-1 on Friday, moving to within one point of Premier League leaders the Reds.

His first goal to level the scores was special as he collected the ball on the left wing, left opponents behind, took it to the touchline and slotted the ball through Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow angle.

He then, he assisted Justin Kluivert's goal before scoring in stoppage time on a fast break.

This brings him up to six league goals this campaign, second only to Manchester City's generational goalscorer the Norwegian.

Since the beginning of May, he has been directly involved in a greater number of goals than any other footballer in the English top division (12 – eight goals, four assists).

Not bad for a talent Bristol City picked up from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College academy at the young age of 17.

"We had a hard night to compete, but it didn't matter to him," remarked ex-England midfielder the pundit on Sky Sports.

"He moves across that surface. An amazing, special player. So wonderful to see.

"It makes no difference if it's his right, left foot, it's all the same for him."

The Star in Flying Form

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Although nearly half of the club's first team left in the summer, the forward was linked with moves to United, Liverpool and Spurs.

However instead he agreed to a long-term deal back on July 1st.

And that has proved to be excellent business for the Cherries, for he is among the in-form footballers in the Premier League currently.

Last season, the 25-year-old forward reached double figures for the first occasion in his career – 11 goals in the Premier League, 13 in all competitions.

This season, he has scored six goals in his first seven top-flight matches and assisted three more.

Semenyo was asked after the game if this was the peak form of his career.

"Yeah, I'd say so," he responded. "I thank God massively. He has had a massive part in my life and I'm just enjoying the benefits now. So yes, I thank him always."

Many teams regretting they had taken the risk on him earlier.

Semenyo qualifies for the Black Stars through his father, but he is hails from the capital. He was turned down by Arsenal, Spurs and the Lions as a teenager before landing in a regional academy run by former United and Forest Green coach Dave Hockaday.

The Championship side acquired him in 2017, but he needed loan spells at Bath, County and Sunderland before breaking into the Bristol City starting eleven in the 2020-21 season.

Earlier last year, he made the multi-million pound transfer to Bournemouth – and he has been improving continuously.

"In my opinion he is a player with self-belief," said boss Andoni Iraola.

"It has been growing with him. He has played in different leagues, earning his way into the top division. He is extremely fundamental for us."

His statistics are through the roof now. He is first in the Premier League for duels won, leading for possession recovered in the attacking area, second for sprints and among the best for dribbles. Plus all those goals, naturally.

Fellow player Justin Kluivert remarked: "He is amazing. He demonstrates it each match now. He is just top-tier."

'Iraola Could Coach Every Club'

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The Cherries manager Iraola will be a manager in demand when he decides to leave.

He, a Basque coach, has been in charge since last year after the surprise dismissal of Gary O'Neil.

Several were displeased at the time, with Iraola not being a well-known figure – and previously managed AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.

However the appointment has been a remarkable achievement, with the team ending up 12th and then ninth.

They have never been as high as second place in the Premier League more than two games into a campaign.

In addition to his impressive work in maintaining a successful team, even when it appeared most of their key players were departing in the off-season, his strategies were spot on on Friday.

For six minutes he had three backline players on the pitch instead of 4. And that turned the match.

In the 78th minute he introduced a winger for a defensive player. The score was 1-0 down.

Soon after, he brought on a winger for a back. They were 2-1 up.

"It was necessary to be bold and put on additional offensive personnel and it paid off," he said. "Our squad have to make the difference and in this match they made it."

Kluivert said: "The manager is fantastic. If you see even the guys that have left the club, how we are performing at the moment is remarkable.

"I always say that the pilot of the team is the manager and he is driving us on a amazing route. Amazing leader, so we trust him."

Redknapp stated: "Iraola can manage any club in the sport.

"He develops players, all they do is thrilling. They have to enjoy him while he is here. How long? It's uncertain?

"Is it possible for them to keep doing the impossible, like getting into the Champions League spots? They deserve it and everything is attainable as long as they retain the manager because he is such a major an advantage for the team."

Cherries Take Off-Season Overhaul in Their Step

Many felt that the Cherries overachieved when they finished in ninth place the previous campaign – and for a period there was also speculation of European competition.

And then three of their defensive line – Illia Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Huijsen – left for several Europe's elite teams for almost £150m.

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