Antoine Semenyo inspires Bournemouth to convincing win over sorry Southampton

Antoine Semenyo starred as Bournemouth piled more early-season misery on winless south-coast rivals Southampton with a thumping 3-1 Premier League victory at Vitality Stadium.

Club-record signing Evanilson set the Cherries on course for a maiden home success of the campaign by volleying his first goal in English football before Dango Ouattara doubled the lead in fortuitous fashion.

Semenyo, who was involved in the opening two finishes, impressively rifled in his third strike of the campaign to stretch the advantage in the 39th minute.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header spared Southampton embarrassment, but they never looked likely to mount a second-half fightback.

Aside from conceding bragging rights to their near neighbours, a resounding defeat in Dorset leaves Saints with a solitary point from six fixtures, while stretching their club-record top-flight winless run to 19 games, dating back to the 2022-23 season, which ended in relegation.

Russell Martin’s men made the short journey west seeking to set aside a difficult start since promotion after conceding a last-gasp equaliser in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Ipswich nine days ago.

During a relatively positive opening from the visitors, Maxwel Cornet had an effort blocked behind by Marcos Senesi before former Cherries winger Ryan Fraser, who was incessantly booed by home fans, brought a routine save out of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Those early moments of promise were quickly forgotten as Bournemouth blitzed their stunned opponents before the break, beginning with an impromptu 17th-minute breakthrough.

After Semenyo was fouled by Flynn Downes deep in Saints territory, the quick-thinking Marcus Tavernier swiftly dinked the resulting free-kick over the static visiting defence for stretching summer arrival Evanilson to find the bottom left corner.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, who was serving a one-match touchline ban for accumulating three yellow cards, was again celebrating from his position in an executive box in the 32nd minute.

Following good work down the right from the lively Semenyo, Lewis Cook’s side-footed effort from just inside the 18-yard box flicked off Ouattara to beat Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Saints were swiftly in danger of suffering humiliation as winger Semenyo continued to torment.

The Ghana international collected the ball 30 yards out from goal and duly beat Lesley Ugochukwu twice before arrowing a low, diagonal drive into the bottom left corner.

Southampton’s disgruntled away end endured mocking chants from Cherries supporters before jeering off their team at the end of a miserable opening period.

Saints manager Martin responded with a triple substitution for the second period as Joe Aribo, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz replaced Ugochukwu, Fraser and Cornet.

The travelling fans were given a glimmer of hope within six minutes of the restart.

Moments after forcing a fine save out of Cherries keeper Kepa with a header from Tyler Dibling’s free-kick, Harwood-Bellis stooped to nod home when Mateus Fernandes’ cross from the left took a touch off Ryan Christie.

The goal briefly breathed new life into the contest, but it quickly fizzled out.

Bournemouth comfortably held on to bounce back from defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool while dealing another setback to struggling Southampton, who face a testing trip to Arsenal before the international break.