Bournemouth 3 - 1 FT Fulham

Semenyo's Two-Goal Blitz Erases Fulham's Lead in Eight-Minute Demolition

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 84/100. Four goals in 20 minutes transformed a tentative first half into a breathless finale where substitutes rewrote the script.

When Substitutes Change Destinies

Bournemouth trailed 0-1 after 70 minutes—Sessegnon's finish from Chukwueze's assist had seemed decisive. Then the Balance shifted violently. Antoine Semenyo equalized in the 78th minute, Justin Kluivert—introduced at the hour—restored Bournemouth's lead four minutes later, and Semenyo completed his brace in stoppage time. Three goals in eight minutes. The Intensity compressed into those final exchanges redefined the entire 90.

What appeared a potential upset—Fulham, winless in their last two, threatening a top-four side—became a masterclass in second-half control. Bournemouth's 54% possession masked the real story: they suffocated Fulham after the interval. The home side's 11 total shots yielded six on target; Fulham's 12 attempts produced only four. xG told a different tale (Bournemouth 1.12, Fulham 0.88), but execution trumped expected value here.

The Stakes made this more than a routine three points. Bournemouth, fourth on 14 points, faced a Fulham side languishing 14th on 8 points—a 10-point gap masked deeper anxieties about form and trajectory. Fulham's recent collapse (one win in five) demanded a response; instead, they capitulated. Bournemouth's 4-2-1 record suddenly looks like a platform for a genuine title push.

Semenyo's performance (9.3 rating, two goals, one assist) transcended statistics. His movement in the final 20 minutes created space others couldn't find. Kluivert's impact off the bench (7.9 rating, one goal in 29 minutes) vindicated tactical boldness. Even Marcos Senesi's defensive solidity (7.6 rating) provided the platform—Bournemouth's backline didn't panic as Fulham pressed.

The Goal Flurry between minutes 70-84 crystallized the match's narrative arc: stasis, then chaos. Bournemouth's ability to absorb pressure, then unleash it, separates contenders from pretenders.

Tactical Gridlock at the Coast

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 26/100. A classic mid-table encounter where tactical discipline will decide if Bournemouth can pull further clear of the lower half.

The Setup

As the Premier League enters its seventh round, Bournemouth and Fulham find themselves separated by just two points in the mid-table pack. Bournemouth, currently 9th, secured a vital win in their last outing to snap a difficult winless run, bringing their Form to a more respectable level. However, they face a Fulham side that has shown significant Balance, oscillating between brilliant victories and frustrating defeats. Playing at the stadium, the Cherries will rely on their superior Stars rating to break down a resilient Cottagers defensive block that has already frustrated several top-half teams this season.

Key Battle

The game’s outcome hinges on the duel between Antoine Semenyo and Alex Iwobi. Semenyo has become the focal point of the home side's attack, using his physicality to create space, while Iwobi acts as Fulham's primary transition engine. If Iwobi can bypass the Bournemouth midfield press, Fulham’s counter-attacking threat increases exponentially. Conversely, if Semenyo finds space between the lines, the home side will dominate the final third.

Our Prediction

This match smells of a tactical stalemate. Bournemouth have the home advantage and the individual brilliance of Semenyo, but Fulham’s organized structure under pressure is difficult to pierce. Expect a cagey opening half followed by a flurry of activity in the final thirty minutes. We foresee a 1-1 draw, with both teams ultimately settling for a point that keeps them comfortably away from the early-season noise of the bottom three.