Antoine Semenyo delivers perfect farewell present to pile more misery on Thomas Frank
Antoine Semenyo said farewell to Bournemouth with a superb late winner to leave Tottenham needing to spend in the January window.
The Ghana winger is set to join Manchester City in a £65m deal this week. And the Londoner celebrated his big move - and his 26th birthday yesterday - with an injury-time strike to give the Cherries their first win in 12 games. Semenyo was subbed off before the end to a deafening standing ovation - and returned for an emotional post-match lap of honour.
Mathys Tel had given Spurs an early lead before Evanilson and Junior Kroupi put the hosts in front before the break. Palhinha’s 78th-minute overhead kick following a corner - their 10th setpiece goal of the season - had appeared to salvage a third consecutive draw for Spurs.
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But Semenyo picked up a short ball from sub David Brooks before firing home to give Andoni Iraola his first win since October. They have now done the double over Spurs this season.
It was another bad night for Thomas Frank who started the night getting photographed pre-game drinking game from an Arsenal cup. Lucas Bergvall was subbed off to add to the growing injury after the sale of Brennan Johnson and Spurs require reinforcements this month, especially up front.
Spurs players wore black arm bands to honour Martin Chivers and the travelling support chanted the name of the late England star. But how the current Whites could have used the class of the former Tottenham favourite in 2026. The North London club have now won only two Premier League games in 12.
Frank had made five changes from the team booed off following Sunday’s home draw - and Tottenham needed only five minutes to take the lead. Xavi Simons found Tel with a backheel on the left flank. The Frenchman cut inside and a slight deflection to his shot by Alex Jimenez was enough to beat Dorde Petrovic. It was the first Spurs goal from open play in 10 long hours.
The Cherries were level after 22 minutes when Evanilson headed home Marcus Tavernier’s angled cross. And Tavernier set up Bournemouth’s second goal 14 minutes later. Semenyo missed an attempted volley of his cross but Marcos Senesi pulled the ball back for the unmarked Kroupi to sweep home.
After the break, sub Richarlison headed against the post after Cristian Romero nodded a Tel corner back across goal.
Darren England awarded Micky van de Ven a penalty after the Dutchman ran from his own half before going down in the box. He reversed the decision after a VAR review before Palhinha’s equaliser was followed by Semenyo’s winner.