If this was farewell from Antoine Semenyo then it could not have been sweeter, than a fabulous winner, scored in the 95th minute to sink Tottenham and end an 11-game winless run for Bournemouth.
Until then, the winger bound for Manchester City for £65million had been subdued.
Polite applause when the teams were announced before kick-off and very little positive influence on proceedings.
His key contribution in the first half was a failure to connect with an attempted volley in the build-up to Bournemouth’s second goal scored by Junior Kroupi.
Had he touched it, Kroupi would likely have been given offside, and he was all alone when Marco Senesi supplied the cut back.
But Semenyo grew more menacing later in the game as Spurs took risks in the search for an equaliser and Andoni Iraola left him on, knowing a flash of genius might make the difference.
Antoine Semenyo scored a fabulous winner to give Bournemouth all three points against Spurs
The £65m Man City target’s 95th minute strike ended Bournemouth’s 11-match winless streak
Then, came the goal, a standing ovation when he was replaced moments later and warm embrace from his boss. Then returned to say what looked very much like goodbye at the end.
Pep Guardiola will admire that sort of immaculate timing.
More woe for Spurs
Away form has preserved dignity, thus far into Thomas Frank’s first campaign as Spurs boss, and they looked as if they had salvaged a point with a gutsy second half display and Joao Palhinha’s spectacular equaliser, an overhead kick in the 78th minute.
It was their 11th goal of the season from a set piece. Richarlison headed against a post when they were on top, during this spell and Spurs were close to making it 3-2 with headers by Micky van de Ven, brilliant saved, and Cristian Romero, just over, before Semenyo’s settled it.
There were jeers from the away end, chants of ‘ENIC out’ and words exchanged with travelling fans after the match, as with Ange Postecoglou after defeat at the Vitality Stadium last season.
Joao Palhinha had scored a spectacular late equaliser for Tottenham with an overhead kick
Lucas Bergvall looked disconsolate as he trudged off after picking up an injury
Spurs have not beaten Bournemouth in four games and have lost three of them including both fixtures this season.
Injuries piling up…
Lucas Bergvall seemed to pick up a thigh muscle problem early in the second half and looked disconsolate as he trudged off. Then Rodrigo Bentancur limped off near the end.
Van de Ven was booked for a desperate dive having charged out of defence and into the Bournemouth box. Referee Darren England changed his decision to give a penalty after consulting his monitor.
All of which eclipsed the promise of Mathys Tel’s early goal, a low shot was deflected past Djordje Petrovic. It was a first goal from open play in 10 hours for Spurs.
Mathys Tel opened the scoring with Tottenham’s first goal from open play in 10 hours
But they could not resist as Bournemouth responded. Evanilson headed them level and Kroupi pounced before the interval.
Dr Tottenham will see you now…
When they beat Nottingham Forest in October, Bournemouth were second in the Premier League and Iraola was fielding questions about the Champions League.
No wins and five points from the next 11 plunged them into trouble as Spurs rolled into Dorset with their impressive away form and Semenyo on his way out.
Suddenly, concerns were about survival chances. Doctor Tottenham with the rescue remedy yet again.
