Southampton are a big cautionary tale, but performances like Antoine Semenyo’s are sure to attract the attention of the big boys.
Considered a ‘clash of styles’ due to Bournemouth playing the fewest passes leading to a shot of any Premier League team and Southampton playing the most, what was most evident in this match was that Bournemouth had much better footballers than their opponents.
Southampton now have one point from six matches and, judging by these 90 minutes (certainly the first 45), their supporters – as is so often the case with those of newly promoted teams, in a reality that will only get worse ‘anchor further as the gap between the Premier League and Championship widens – will endure their season in the top flight, with doubts over any victory, let alone the timing of their first of the campaign.
When the gap in quality is so marked, the styles are indeed remarkable. Vincent Kompany proved last season that it’s possible to fail to an extraordinary degree by sticking to your philosophical guns, but it’s hard to see Russell Martin lasting long enough at Southampton if he continues to fade away at the back with players ill-equipped to do so. in order to precipitate his inevitable unveiling as Borussia Dortmund’s new manager this summer.
Boos from away fans greeted the half-time whistle, with discussions among those who saw their team concede three goals in the first 45 minutes, with presumably firm preferences for a slightly (or significantly) approach more pragmatic.
On the rare occasions when Southampton managed to beat the press, they gave the ball away, either after giving it to their ineffective and isolated attacking players, or by going all the way back to Aaron Ramsdale and failing to find a way through to through the very energetic Bournemouth. advances a second or third time.
The Saints improved much after what we must assume was a half-time rocket from Martin and Taylor Harwood-Bellis ensured they won the second half with a header, but the damage was done .
Mainly thanks to Iraola’s extremely impressive first four. Evanilson broke his duck with a beautiful volley taken over his shoulder after a quick, intelligent and perfectly executed free kick from Marcus Tavernier.
Dango Ouattara, on the left, beat Yukinari Sugawara and inadvertently scored the second goal as Lewis Cook’s shot deflected off him.
But it was Antoine Semenyo – who had already caught the eye this season with two goals, an assist and countless examples of his powerful, direct running and shoulder drops to boot – who tore Southampton apart in the first halftime and sounded the inevitable Big Eight. (Six plus Newcastle and Aston Villa) transfer horns following remarkable performances from young mid-table Premier League stars.
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Bournemouth signed the 24-year-old to a new five-year contract this summer following his “incredible first full season” at the club, and while we are still reluctant to spin the rumor mill, Iraola, the Bournemouth Les Bosses and fans won’t be naive enough to think that top clubs aren’t already well aware of Semenyo’s enviable attributes and wouldn’t be able to rob him with the promise of bigger, if not certainly better, things.
He was not credited with the assist for Bournemouth’s second goal, and Kepa Arrizabalaga and Evanilson both did their part in the front-back goal, with the on-loan keeper selecting the striker, who sent the ball towards the bottom and played it next to it. , but the critical part was Semenyo’s.
The winger drove at Charlie Taylor, then put the full-back on his back with a Cole Palmer-style dummy before setting up Cook on the edge of the box.
He’s big, quick, and has excellent close control, but perhaps his greatest attribute in these one-on-one battles with defenders, or at least the one that sets him apart from a surprising number of wingers, even the most talented, is his talent. is with either foot.
It’s much harder to defend against someone so dangerous on both sides and probably aware of Semenyo’s ability to cut and curl a left-footed shot into the top corner, it was Lesley Ugochukwu who was hit for the Ghanaian’s goal, with all of Chelsea. Loanee’s weight was on the wrong foot as Semenyo cut to his right to fire into the far corner.
A replacement for Mohamed Salah, perhaps? Bukayo Saka’s second fiddle? Newcastle could really use a right winger. Aston Villa seems like a good choice.
What is clear based on this performance and much more from Semenyo is that, unfortunately for Iraola and everyone involved at the club, Bournemouth is not his ceiling.
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