Semenyo Strikes Late as Bournemouth Deepen Tottenham’s Troubles

Antoine Semenyo delivered a dramatic late winner to seal a 3-2 victory for Bournemouth over Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium, applying further pressure on Spurs head coach Thomas Frank in the process.

The Bournemouth forward, widely expected to complete a move to Manchester City, had been relatively quiet for much of the contest before producing a decisive moment in the fifth minute of stoppage time. His 10th goal of the season brought an end to the Cherries’ 11-match winless run and lifted them to within a point of their visitors.

Tottenham appeared to have rescued a result when Joao Palhinha struck an acrobatic equaliser late on, cancelling out Bournemouth’s first-half turnaround following goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi after Mathys Tel’s early opener. However, Semenyo’s late intervention ensured the hosts took all three points, leaving Spurs with just two wins from their last 12 Premier League matches.

The defeat is likely to intensify scrutiny on Frank, with frustration among the Tottenham support continuing to grow.

Both sides paid tribute to club legend Martin Chivers, who passed away at the age of 80, with Spurs players wearing black armbands and travelling supporters honouring him throughout the match.

Tottenham made a lively start and took the lead inside five minutes. Xavi Simons, returning after a three-match suspension, played a clever backheel down the left before Tel cut inside James Hill and guided a low effort beyond Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth responded well and drew level midway through the first half. After Alex Jimenez kept an attack alive following a cleared corner, Marcus Tavernier delivered a precise inswinging cross from the right, which Evanilson glanced into the net.

Lucas Bergvall went close for Spurs from distance before the hosts completed the turnaround nine minutes before the interval. Tavernier again proved influential down the flank, sending in a dangerous delivery that Semenyo narrowly failed to convert, but Marcos Senesi reacted quickly to return the ball across goal for Kroupi to finish emphatically.

Frank resisted making changes at half-time, although Bergvall was forced off early in the second period and replaced by Wilson Odobert.

Tottenham steadily increased the pressure. Richarlison, introduced for Randal Kolo Muani, came close to an immediate impact when his header struck the post after Cristian Romero had flicked on Tel’s corner. Spurs were later denied a penalty following a VAR review, with Micky van de Ven adjudged to have gone to ground too easily inside the area.

The visitors finally found an equaliser with 12 minutes remaining. Bournemouth failed to clear Pedro Porro’s corner and Palhinha launched himself acrobatically to hook the ball into the net.

Spurs continued to push for a winner, with Van de Ven forcing Petrovic into a fine save from close range, but their efforts were ultimately in vain.

Deep into nine minutes of added time, Semenyo had the final word. The Ghana international cut inside from distance and unleashed a swerving strike into the bottom-right corner, sparking wild celebrations around the Vitality Stadium.

Semenyo was withdrawn moments later to a standing ovation and returned to the pitch after the final whistle to be serenaded by the home supporters, capping a memorable night that may yet prove to be his farewell appearance for Bournemouth.