Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham: Semenyo's Double Caps Sensational Comeback in Premier League Match Football
| Vitality Stadium
Match Summary
What an absolute spectacle at the Vitality Stadium! Bournemouth completed their dramatic comeback to beat Fulham 3-1, with the victory sending the Cherries second in the Premier League table with 14 points, just one point behind defending champions Liverpool. This premier league match football encounter will be remembered as one of the season's most thrilling turnarounds.
Ryan Sessegnon had given strikerless Fulham the lead in the 70th minute, with Andoni Iraola's side looking set to suffer a first top-flight defeat since the opening day of the season. However, the final 20 minutes produced pure magic from the hosts.
Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert scored three sensational goals between them in the final 20 minutes as Bournemouth came back to beat Fulham on Friday, with Semenyo producing a moment of magic to level in the 78th minute before substitute Kluivert further lit up a soggy south-coast encounter by lashing in from distance. Semenyo sealed victory deep into added time by clinically finishing a counter-attack led by Ben Gannon-Doak.
Tactical Analysis
Bournemouth made four changes after snatching a last-gasp 2-2 draw at Leeds, while Fulham lined up without a recognised striker, with defender Issa Diop replacing the injured Raúl Jiménez following last weekend's 3-1 loss at Aston Villa. The Cherries began in confident fashion, dominating possession and pinning the visitors back with a high press.
Bournemouth's high-intensity approach initially yielded control but lacked precision in the final third. Tyler Adams' low shot was turned around the left post by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno but clear chances were at a premium, not helped by Alex Scott's poor delivery from set-pieces, with Marco Silva's men also lacking a cutting edge in a forgettable first half.
Fulham, operating with 18-year-old midfielder Josh King as a false nine, eventually produced a meaningful attempt when Harry Wilson's shot on the turn was pushed away by Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic on the hour mark. Cottagers boss Silva replaced Wilson and King with Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze in the 68th minute and the double change had an immediate impact.
The tactical shift proved crucial for Fulham's opener, as after playing the ball to AC Milan loanee Chukwueze, left wing-back Sessegnon burst into the box to stab the return pass into the roof of the net. However, Bournemouth's superior fitness and quality in depth ultimately told as they found another gear when it mattered most.
Key Players
Man of the Match: Antoine Semenyo
Player of the match: Antoine Semenyo. The man of the hour for Bournemouth was once again Semenyo. Not only did his double help secure the win, but it continued his incredible run of form. The 25-year-old now has 14 goal involvements in his last 13 Premier League games, with 10 of those being scored by himself.
Speaking post-match, Semenyo told Sky Sports: "I think I just slow down things in my head. In previous seasons I've always hit the ball too quickly and smashed it without any accuracy. In the off-season I've been working on being calm, collected, and placing it in the corner because I know I have a lot of power when I shoot. If I place it, I'll know I'll score and that's what I've implemented this season and the results are showing."
Star Performers
Justin Kluivert's wonder strike was equally impressive. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said of Semenyo: "He is incredible, he shows it every game now. He is just world-class. We are glad to have him and that is why I said we have a good team. He is the one that scores goals for us and we appreciate that."
For Fulham, Ryan Sessegnon was their standout performer with his clinical finish, whilst Bernd Leno (7) kept them in the game with several crucial saves.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Bournemouth | Fulham |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 53.4% | 46.6% |
| Shots on Goal | 6 | 4 |
| Total Shots | 11 | 12 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Saves | 3 | 3 |
Statistics from ESPN match centre
Premier League Table Impact
This result has significant implications for both clubs' ambitions this season. Bournemouth (14 points) sit second in the Premier League table, a point behind defending champions Liverpool, with success for the hosts stretching their unbeaten run to six top-flight games.
The Cherries' remarkable start sees them firmly in the European conversation, whilst this defeat represents a missed opportunity for Fulham to join the top-four conversation. Bournemouth boast one of the Premier League's stingiest chance deniers through six matches, as only Newcastle and Arsenal have conceded fewer chances.
With fixtures against top sides Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal still to come this season, Bournemouth's position represents an outstanding achievement under Andoni Iraola's management. The premier league match football landscape continues to evolve, with traditional hierarchies being challenged by well-organised, ambitious clubs like the Cherries.
What the Managers Said
Fulham head coach Marco Silva speaking to Sky Sports: "Very tough, very tough for us the way we lost it. We had problems for the first 10-15 minutes of the game." The Portuguese tactician will be disappointed his side couldn't hold onto their advantage after taking the lead so late in proceedings.
Kluivert reflected on the comeback: "It's a big statement. Losing 1-0 and having the team spirit to come back is incredible. It's early [in the season], but we have to strive for the highest possible [position]. The mentality that we have now is not to look down but up and we will keep doing that."
Looking Ahead
This victory maintains Bournemouth's impressive momentum as they continue to exceed expectations this season. Their next fixtures will test whether they can maintain this level against stronger opposition, but the character shown in this comeback suggests they have the mentality to compete at the highest level.
For Fulham, this represents a frustrating night where they did so much right but couldn't see the game out. Fulham have also had a decent start to the campaign, but will have been disappointed to let an early lead slip to lose 3-1 against Aston Villa in their most recent Premier League fixture. That stunted back-to-back league wins for the Cottagers, who had beaten London rivals Brentford and Leeds in their previous two matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the goals in Bournemouth vs Fulham?
Antoine Semenyo scored twice (78th and 90+6th minutes), Justin Kluivert scored once (84th minute) for Bournemouth. Ryan Sessegnon scored for Fulham in the 70th minute.
What was the final score of Bournemouth vs Fulham on 3 October 2025?
Bournemouth won 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium, completing a remarkable comeback after trailing 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining.
How does this result affect the Premier League table?
The victory moved Bournemouth into second place in the Premier League table with 14 points, just one point behind leaders Liverpool.
Who was man of the match?
Antoine Semenyo was named man of the match after scoring twice to complete Bournemouth's comeback victory.
What formation did each team play?
Bournemouth lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, whilst Fulham played without a recognised striker, using Josh King as a false nine in their system.
Conclusion
This premier league match football encounter will live long in the memory of those fortunate enough to witness it. Bournemouth's comeback victory showcased everything that makes the Premier League the world's most exciting league - drama, quality, and the unpredictable nature that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Antoine Semenyo's transformation into a clinical finisher has been one of the season's most impressive individual stories, whilst Bournemouth's collective spirit and tactical flexibility under Iraola continues to yield remarkable results. As they sit second in the table, the sky truly appears to be the limit for this ambitious Cherries side.
What did you think of this thrilling encounter? Share your thoughts on Bournemouth's sensational comeback and whether they can maintain their challenge for European qualification throughout the season.