Bournemouth
Late Chiesa and Salah Strikes Rescue Liverpool After Surrendering Two-Goal Lead
Late strikes from Chiesa and Salah rescued Liverpool at Anfield after surrendering a 2-0 lead today
Liverpool survived a dramatic Premier League opener at Anfield, salvaging victory with late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah after relinquishing a 2-0 advantage.
The hosts took an early lead through competition-debutant Hugo Ekitike, who finished from close range after Alexis Mac Allister’s pass and a fortuitous deflection off Marcos Senesi. New signing Ekitike had taken the first shot of the match in the third minute, and his celebration, showing the number 20 with both hands, paid clear tribute to the man whose position he now occupies.
Not five minutes into the second half, Cody Gakpo added a composed second. He jinked past Marcus Tavernier before placing a precise finish from inside the area and replicated Ekitike’s tribute to the same memory.
Bournemouth, however, responded. Antoine Semenyo pulled one back in the 64th minute from a David Brooks cross, and then completed a brace with a brilliant solo run that exposed Liverpool’s unsettled backline and beat Alisson with a low strike. Semenyo had earlier alerted referee Anthony Taylor to a reported incident of racist abuse against him around the 30-minute mark; managers were consulted and the match resumed.
Throughout the first half Liverpool enjoyed possession without consistently creating clear chances. Marcus Tavernier scuffed an Adam Smith cutback into Alisson’s arms in the 35th minute before Ekitike’s opener, and Florian Wirtz came closest to a maiden Anfield goal with a shot dragged wide in the 63rd minute.
Defensive changes were made as Arne Slot turned to Wataro Endo and Joe Gomez, though Bournemouth’s momentum produced an equaliser. With the crowd on edge, Chiesa emerged in the closing minutes to volley home after a ricocheted cross from Salah struck several players. In added time Salah cut in onto his right foot and slotted home the clincher.
It was a win won at the death. Liverpool sit top of the Premier League after one game, having needed late interventions to secure all three points.
Bournemouth
United’s early £50m approach for Semenyo rebuffed as Bournemouth hold firm
United lodged a £50m bid for Antoine Semenyo in early summer but Bournemouth rejected it. Contracted.
Manchester United submitted a reported £50 million approach for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the opening stages of the summer window, only for the Cherries to decline the offer. Tottenham Hotspur also made an attempt to sign the winger following his 2024–25 return of 11 goals and six assists, but Bournemouth elected to keep their player.
United had completed a separate £62.5 million move for Matheus Cunha in early June and then moved to sign another attacker, a campaign that ultimately produced Bryan Mbeumo. United appear to have explored Semenyo as an alternative during those discussions, given negotiations with Brentford over the Cameroon international proved to be both long and expensive, ultimately concluding with a handshake over a £71 million fee in late July.
Bournemouth’s refusal was influenced by Semenyo’s stated preference to remain and continue his development on the south coast. His loyalty was rewarded with a new contract and a pay rise in July. While he is now tied to Bournemouth until 2030, Semenyo is still seen as a likely candidate for sale next summer. The Ghana international’s new contract even includes an undisclosed release clause to help facilitate an exit further down the line.
That clause gives United the option to revisit interest next summer if they choose. Any move, however, will have to account for the structure of Ruben Amorim’s squad, where there no longer appears to be an obvious place for another high-cost forward after striker Benjamin Šeško completed a new-look trio which cost over £200 million by the end of the summer.
Recent speculation has also linked Semenyo with Arsenal and Liverpool. Semenyo is a self-confessed fan of the Gunners, a detail that could hand Mikel Arteta’s side a boost should they decide to pursue a deal in the next window.
Bournemouth
Early returns: Premier League summer signings that have struggled so far
Early evidence suggests several costly summer signings have struggled to justify their transfer fees
More than £3 billion ($4 billion) and 155 incoming transfers set high expectations across the Premier League this summer. Several recruits have settled quickly, but others have produced worrying initial returns that have left managers and supporters asking questions.
Everton’s Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal after a season that yielded 11 goals and four assists. The 22-year-old joined for £27 million ($36 million) with time to adapt, but he remains behind Beto, has made two Premier League starts, nine appearances in total and is still searching for his first goal or assist for the club. On two occasions he was substituted early: at half time at Anfield and after about an hour at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
West Ham’s £20 million ($26.7 million) signing Mads Hermansen began the campaign as Graham Potter’s first-choice goalkeeper but has endured a difficult start. The 25-year-old conceded 11 times in four appearances, sustained several high-profile errors and has dropped behind Alphonse Areola with Nuno Espírito Santo opting against an early recall.
Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle for £55 million ($73.4 million) after scoring 18 goals for Nottingham Forest in 2024–25. The 23-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Magpies without a goal or assist and has oscillated between starting and the bench while competing with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
Jean-Clair Todibo’s permanent move to West Ham cost £32.8 million ($43.8 million) after an obligation to buy. He has fallen out of favour following disciplinary issues under Potter and is unlikely to figure under Espírito Santo.
James Trafford returned to Manchester City for £31 million ($41.3 million) but is now behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and has been restricted to the bench following a difficult display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a Premier League record £125 million ($166.9 million) but missed pre-season after a strike. Arne Slot has eased him in, using him alongside Hugo Ekitiké, with the record signing yet to reach expected levels.
Newcastle paid £55 million ($73.4 million) for Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but a knee injury means he is yet to play for his new club and has only two competitive appearances since the end of last season.
Chelsea’s £51.5 million ($68.7 million) addition Jamie Gittens has made seven appearances and three starts without making a major impact. At Liverpool, Milos Kerkez arrived for £40 million ($53.4 million) to succeed Andy Robertson but has made a sluggish start, was bullied on his debut by Antoine Semenyo and was hooked in the first half against Burnley as he edged toward a red card.
It remains early and circumstances differ across clubs, but the opening weeks have provided enough evidence to raise concerns about several high-cost recruits.
Bournemouth
Premier League Gameweek 7: Fixture-by-fixture predictions ahead of the international break
Gameweek 7 previews: the final Premier League round before the mid-October international break. info
Gameweek 7 is the last full set of Premier League fixtures before the international break in mid-October. The weekend opens with Bournemouth hosting Fulham on Friday, a match that tests the Cherries’ resilience. Bournemouth were expected to struggle after the dismantling of their defence in the transfer market, yet they are unbeaten in their last five and have climbed to sixth. Fulham will be tasked with denting their confidence on Friday night, having lost a controversial 3–1 game at Aston Villa last weekend. The west Londoners have not won at the Vitality Stadium since 2019. Prediction: Bournemouth 2–1 Fulham (8 p.m. BST).
Saturday offers a standout late kickoff as out-of-sorts Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool have lost their last two matches and have been dismal defensively, a weakness Chelsea will aim to exploit. The Blues have been in patchy form but could record a statement result. Prediction: Chelsea 2–2 Liverpool (5.30 p.m. BST). Earlier on Saturday, Leeds host Tottenham as Spurs contend with midweek travel to the Arctic Circle; Tottenham were forced to fight back from two goals down to secure a draw at Bodø/Glimt and have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions. Prediction: Leeds 1–1 Tottenham (12.30 p.m. BST). Arsenal, fresh from midweek victory over Olympiacos and last weekend’s late win at Newcastle United, face West Ham as Nuno Espírito Santo prepares for his second match in the Irons hot seat. Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 West Ham (3 p.m. BST). Manchester United, reeling after a dreadful defeat at Brentford last weekend, host Sunderland. United’s only wins this campaign have come at Old Trafford; Sunderland sit fifth heading into Gameweek 7. Prediction: Man Utd 2–1 Sunderland (3 p.m. BST).
Sunday is busy. Aston Villa seek back-to-back home wins against Burnley. Crystal Palace, the only unbeaten team after a last-gasp win over Liverpool, travel to Everton, who chase a first league victory since the end of August. Newcastle, having faced European action, meet Nottingham Forest, who also had Europa League involvement at home; Ange Postecoglou’s underwhelming start as Forest boss makes Newcastle favourites. Wolverhampton remain the only side yet to register a Premier League win and host Brighton, whose recent run includes wins over Manchester City and Chelsea and a draw with Spurs. The round concludes with Manchester City visiting Brentford; Pep Guardiola’s men should still come out on top.
