Bournemouth Record Best Ever Premier League Start

Bournemouth Record Best Ever Premier League Start

Bournemouth comfortably cruised to victory this afternoon at the Vitality Stadium, defeating Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest 2-0. The win places the Cherries in second place on 18 points, 4 points below leaders Arsenal.

Another superb afternoon 😍 pic.twitter.com/KOnBK5EQEc

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 26, 2025

After 9 games, this season marks Bournemouth's best start in a Premier League season ever. The side have only lost once this season in their Premier League opener against last season's champions, Liverpool.

Let's take a look at Bournemouth's start in depth, analysing their best performers, and what this season may hold for them.

Success In the Face of Adversity

This summer saw Bournemouth lose 3 key players from their starting XI in the defensive positions. Hungarian left back Milos Kerkez signed for Liverpool, meanwhile their centre back duo of Dean Huijsen and Ilia Zabarnyi were sold to Real Madrid and PSG respectively.

Despite losing Zabarnyi, Kerkez, Huijsen and Ouattara in the summer...

Bournemouth sit 2nd in the Premier League table after nine games played 👏 pic.twitter.com/VQiVWtu0nQ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 26, 2025

The Cherries racked up over £100 million from these 3 sales, and despite bringing in some players, many felt that not enough was done to address the potential gaps left in the squad. However, pundits and fanatics couldn't have been more wrong, and crucially, Bournemouth managed to keep hold of Antoine Semenyo, who is now enjoying his best start to a campaign ever.

Playing on either wing, Semenyo has scored 6 goals and notched up 3 assists so far this season. One of the hottest topics in the Premier League right now, the Ghanaian is the perfect example of an EFL success story. Semenyo signed from Bristol City in 2023, now 25 years-old, the Ghanaian is showing his true quality with the hopes of the Vitality Stadium on his shoulders.

Told he wasn’t good enough. Rejected by several London clubs. Gave up on football. 💔

But English-born Ghanaian Antoine Semenyo found his way back, and ten years later he’s chasing Haaland’s numbers in the Premier League 🔥🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/fj85MXoKkd

— LiveScore (@livescore) October 25, 2025

Forgetting the brilliance of Antoine Semenyo for a minute, Bournemouth signed Eli Kroupi Jr this summer from Lorient. The 19 year-old Frenchman is a product of the Lorient academy, and signed for Bournemouth in £10m deal after making 48 appearances for Lorient in Ligue 2 over 2 seasons.

Thus far, Kroupi Jr has been nothing short of a success, and he is a result of some exquisite scouting. His eye for goal has been immaculate, scoring 4 in 6 league appearances. Manager Andoni Iraola can be praised for his treatment of the teenager, slowly easing him into the Premier League with substitute appearances, and he is now reaping the rewards as the France U21 international has scored 3 in his last 2 starts.

I remember reading about Eli Junior Kroupi when he joined Bournemouth and people were likening him to Mbappe...

4 goals in his last 3 games now...

After Huijsen, Kerkez, Scott, Zabarnyi...

Bournemouth's recruitment team seem to have unearthed another gem! pic.twitter.com/0EjKZ7T383

— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) October 26, 2025

Bournemouth's form hasn't all been down to their immense attacking prowess however, with USA international Tyler Adams holding the fort down in the midfield. Adams averages 1 block per 90, 2 interceptions per 90, and 3 tackles per 90. He provides a solid screen for the backline, who are spearheaded by Argentinian centre back Marcos Senesi.

Senesi has been a rock at the back this season, averaging 8 clearances per 90, he is also producing some fantastic match ratings, making him one of the hottest topics when it comes to defenders in Europe's top 5 leagues.

Marcos Senesi is currently the most in-form defender across Europe's Top 5 Leagues, with the highest rating in the last six games (7.54). 👏🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DBj7mC1fHK

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 3, 2025

Furthermore, Bournemouth signed Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea in the summer. Petrovic joined off the back of an impressive loan spell at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. So far this season, Petrovic has kept 4 clean sheets. A natural shot stopper, Petrovic is an astute acquisition from the Cherries, and at just 26 years-old, his peak is yet to be seen.

From Ripe Form to Real Tests - The Cherries' Next Challenge Awaits

The curtain falls on Gameweek 9 in the Premier League, and Bournemouth find themselves in a position that would've felt like pure fantasy a few years ago. Iraola's men are flying high, but with a long road still ahead, the real challenges are only just beginning.

There's something very special happening at Bournemouth. They will end this weekend 2nd in the Premier League table. And it's thoroughly deserved. Andoni Iraola has got them playing some great football. Remember, the Cherries finished 21st in League Two in 08/09.

✍️ @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/sEJawz8SVS

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 26, 2025

Next up, Bournemouth have two daunting away days that will truly test the side's resilience. First, a trip to the Etihad to face Man City, followed by a clash with the red-hot Aston Villa at Villa Park. As the fixtures start piling up and the festive period looms, Iraola will already be eyeing how to keep his squad fresh for the chaotic Christmas calendar.

🍒👏 Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth are currently 2nd in the Premier League — they will play Manchester City (A) next. ✅ pic.twitter.com/f4R9Fh369m

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 26, 2025

October will go down in Bournemouth's history as one of their best months ever, going unbeaten in the Premier League. This has injected belief and hope into the south coast, and if they can keep the momentum rolling in November then who knows? We might just be witnessing the rise of an unlikely top 4 contender.