When Antoine Semenyo netted a brace and substitute Justin Kluivert added a third, AFC Bournemouth secured a 3‑1 win over Fulham FC at Vitality Stadium on 3 October 2025. The clash was part of the Premier League Round 7, overseen by referee Simon Hooper. Marcos Senesi started at centre‑back for the hosts, while Bernd Leno guarded the Fulham goal. The match delivered a dramatic swing in fortunes and left the stadium buzzing with 11,165 fans.

Historical context: A rivalry that’s turned Bournemouth’s way

The two clubs have met 13 times in the top flight, with Bournemouth leading the head‑to‑head 6‑2‑5 record. Historically, Fulham have often been the stronger side, but the Cherries have closed the gap over the past three seasons, finishing above Fulham in 2023‑24 and drawing level on points at the midway stage of the current campaign.

Last season, Bournemouth finished 10th, a leap from their 17th‑place finish three years earlier. Their rise has been fueled by shrewd signings – Bournemouth turned a profit on several outgoings and reinvested in young talent, the most notable being Semenyo, who joined from Bristol City in 2022 for a modest fee.

Match details: How the game unfolded

Both managers opted for bold formations. Bournemouth deployed a 4‑2‑3‑1 with Djordje Petrovic in goal, while Fulham went with a 3‑4‑2‑1 under Marco Silva. The opening half was cagey; the first chance fell to Fulham’s Timothy Castagne, whose cross rattled the crossbar in the 23rd minute.

It wasn’t until the 70th minute that Fulham finally broke the deadlock. Ryan Sessegnon slipped the ball past Petrovic after a swift wing‑back overlap, giving the visitors a 1‑0 lead.

Seven minutes later, Bournemouth equalised. A corner was whipped in by Tyler Adams, and the ball fell to Ben Gannon‑Doak, who had come on for James Hill. Gannon‑Doak’s low drive found the head of Semenyo, whose left‑footed strike curled into the bottom‑left corner.

The momentum shift was palpable. Substitute Kluivert, who replaced Marcus Tavernier at the hour‑61 mark, prowled the box and pounced on a loose ball in the 84th minute, tapping it past Leno to make it 2‑1.

In injury time, Semenyo completed his brace. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box, he fired a powerful shot past Leno in the 96th minute, sealing a 3‑1 victory.

• Final score: Bournemouth 3 – 1 Fulham
• Goals: Semenyo (78’, 96’), Kluivert (84’); Sessegnon (70’)
• Attendance: 11,165
• Points after match: Bournemouth 14, Fulham 8
• Key absences: Adam Smith, Enes Ünal (Bournemouth); Raul Jiménez, Kenny Tete, Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)

Reactions from the dugout and the stands

Post‑match, Bournemouth manager Scott Parker praised his bench. “The impact of Ben and Justin was massive. We believed in the plan, and the players delivered when it mattered,” he said on the club’s official channel.

Fulham’s Marco Silva was more measured. “We started well, but the second half exposed our defensive gaps. Credit to Bournemouth, they fought back brilliantly,” he admitted.

Fans echoed the mixed emotions. Long‑time Cherries supporter Emma Hughes noted, “Seeing Semenyo’s second goal in stoppage time felt like a fairytale. It’s the kind of win that keeps you coming back week after week.” Meanwhile, Fulham’s regulars on the terraces expressed frustration, with one vocal supporter chanting, “We’ll bounce back, we always do.”

Impact on the Premier League table and what it means for both clubs

With the three points, Bournemouth climbed to 5th place, just three points off the top‑four cutoff. Their 14 points from seven matches place them above traditional heavyweights like Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

For Fulham, the loss stalled their climb. Sitting on eight points, they linger around 11th, three points shy of the European qualification spots. The defeat also highlights their injury woes – the absence of striker Raul Jiménez has left a noticeable void in their attacking options.

Statistically, Bournemouth’s possession rose from 48% in the first half to 56% after the break, while their shot count jumped from 4 to 12, illustrating a clear tactical shift.

Looking ahead: What the next fixtures hold

Next weekend, Bournemouth travel to face Leicester City, a test of whether they can maintain their attacking rhythm on the road. Parker hinted at rotating his midfield, possibly giving Alex Scott a starting role.

Fulham, on the other hand, host Everton. Silva is expected to reshuffle his wing‑back positions, with a chance for Sasa Lukic to start at left‑back.

The two clubs will also need to manage their squad depth, as the congested fixture list – a Champions League night for Manchester City and a mid‑week Boxing Day cup – adds pressure on resources.

Background deep dive: The evolution of Bournemouth’s squad under Parker

Since taking over in 2021, Scott Parker has transformed Bournemouth from a relegation‑battling side into a competitive top‑half team. His recruitment strategy focused on under‑the‑radar talent with high work rates. Semenyo’s arrival in 2022 epitomised this approach; the Ghana‑born winger has contributed 12 goals and 8 assists across two seasons.

Defensively, the acquisition of Marcos Senesi from Fiorentina in the summer of 2024 added composure at the back. Senesi’s aerial ability and ball‑playing style have complemented Bafodé Diakité, forming a back‑two that conceded just 0.9 goals per game last season.

Now, with the squad hitting its stride, the biggest question is whether Parker can sustain the momentum without splurging on big‑ticket signings, a challenge many mid‑table clubs face in the modern Premier League.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bournemouth’s win affect their chances of qualifying for Europe?

The three points push Bournemouth into fifth place, just three points off the top‑four automatic Europa League spots. If they keep picking up wins against mid‑table opponents, they’ll be genuine contenders for a European berth.

Which players missed the match due to injury?

Bournemouth were without defender Adam Smith and striker Enes Ünal, while Fulham missed forward Raul Jiménez, defender Kenny Tete and striker Rodrigo Muniz, all ruled out with muscle strains or ligament issues.

What tactical change sparked Bournemouth’s comeback?

Parker switched to a higher‑pressing shape after the 70th minute, pulling the midfield trio higher and allowing substitutes Ben Gannon‑Doak and Justin Kluivert to exploit the space behind Fulham’s three‑man defence.

Who scored the opening goal of the match?

Ryan Sessegnon fired a low‑drive past Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic in the 70th minute to give Fulham a 1‑0 lead.

What does Fulham need to improve to bounce back?

The Cottagers must tighten their defensive transitions and find a reliable target man after Jiménez’s injury. Reinforcing the midfield’s link‑up play and getting more shots on goal will be key for the next few fixtures.