Graham Potter lauds Antoine Semenyo following Bournemouth's win over Southampton
1st October 2024
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Adam Smith of Bournemouth is congratulated by team-mates Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara after his cross is deflected in by Seamus Coleman of Everton to make the score 2-1 during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC at Vitality Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter praised Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo after his goal in Bournemouth's 3-1 victory over Southampton at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night.
Semenyo's performance helped secure a crucial win for the Cherries, continuing his strong form in the Premier League this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Potter lauded the forward's resilience and determination, reflecting on his journey through the lower leagues before making his mark in the top flight.
"It's a great story, really inspiring to hear about the path he's been on," Potter said. "He's faced ups and downs, experienced challenges in the lower leagues, and endured periods without regular playing time, but he kept pushing. It's a fantastic example for any young player."
Potter highlighted the importance of patience in a footballer's development: "Sometimes patience is the key.
He’s always had the talent, but the trick is finding the right path, and every player's journey is different.
Semenyo has made the most of his opportunities and arrived in the Premier League with humility, grateful for his journey and the experiences he's had. It's a really nice story."
In the match, Bournemouth took the lead in the 17th minute when Evanilson finished off a pass from Marcus Tavernier.
They doubled their lead 15 minutes later through Dango Ouattara, assisted by Lewis Cook. Semenyo added a third goal just before halftime, again benefiting from a Cook assist, giving Bournemouth a 3-0 cushion by the 39th minute.
Southampton managed to pull one back early in the second half with a header from Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the 51st minute, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Bournemouth’s dominance.
The victory brought Bournemouth closer in their head-to-head rivalry with Southampton, narrowing the gap to five wins for the Cherries against Southampton's ten. Bournemouth will now prepare to face Leicester City in their next Premier League fixture.