Antoine Semenyo's lightning strike ignites Bournemouth's European charge

Antoine Semenyo's early goal, a clinical strike just 53 seconds into the match, proved decisive, propelling the Cherries into eighth place and reigniting their push for European qualification.

Semenyo seized the moment after a swift counter-attack, exploiting a defensive lapse from Fulham's Antonee Robinson. "I knew I'd shift it to my left," Semenyo said post-match. "It was a tidy, calm finish. I'm relieved, but I know there's more to come."

The forward expressed confidence in his versatility, noting, "I'm comfortable on either side or through the middle, wherever the gaffer needs me."

Manager Andoni Iraola praised his team's defensive resilience, a marked improvement after recent struggles. "We needed this win," Iraola said. "A clean sheet against a side like Fulham is massive. We've leaked goals from set pieces lately, but tonight we were solid and still created chances."

Reflecting on their European ambitions, he added, "Beating last season's points tally is a target. Every point is hard-earned, but we're in a strong position."

Fulham, led by Marco Silva, rallied late but couldn't breach Bournemouth's backline. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga stood tall, denying efforts from Alex Iwobi, Sasa Lukic, and Tom Cairney.

Silva lamented his team's inconsistency, with Fulham alternating between wins and losses for eight straight matches. "We improved after a slow start, but we weren't clinical enough," Silva said.

Bournemouth's early dominance nearly yielded more, but Evanilson struck the crossbar from close range, the Cherries' 21st woodwork hit this season, a Premier League high. Despite Fulham's second-half pressure, Bournemouth held firm, with Tyler Adams and Alex Scott testing Bernd Leno's reflexes.

Recent updates from Bournemouth's official channels highlight Semenyo's growing influence, with the club praising his "relentless work rate" on social media.

Iraola, in a post-match press conference, also singled out the forward's discipline, noting, "Antoine's not just about goals, he's setting the tone for us."

The Cherries now turn their focus to an upcoming clash with Crystal Palace, aiming to edge closer to their points target and keep their European dreams alive. For Fulham, the defeat underscores their need for consistency as they slip behind Bournemouth in the race for the top half.