download All Football App

Kluivert lauds 'incredible' coach Iraola taking Bournemouth on 'crazy route'

  /  autty

Justin Kluivert heaped praise on "incredible" boss Andoni Iraola, who is taking Bournemouth on a "crazy route" up the Premier League table.

Bournemouth head into the weekend second in England's top flight after a dramatic 3-1 victory over Fulham, who were undone by Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo's brilliance.

Ryan Sessegnon had edged Fulham ahead on Friday in the 70th minute, only for Semenyo to score a remarkable individual goal, set up an eye-catching Kluivert finish, and then round off his own double in stoppage time.

Their late heroics mean Bournemouth will finish the day in their highest ever position in the table when having played at least two matches in a Premier League season.

Kluivert placed all the credit on head coach Iraola, who has masterminded their early-season success despite losing all five of last season's backline during the transfer window.

"He is incredible. If you also see the guys that have left the team, how we are doing at the moment is incredible," the Dutchman told Sky Sports. 

"I always say that the driver of the bus is the coach, and he is driving us on a crazy route. Amazing driver, so we follow him.

"We love it and that shows in the table with second place, but we keep humble because the season is long. But who knows, who knows. We go for the biggest possible."

This was just the second time that Bournemouth won a Premier League match by two or more goals, having conceded the game's opening goal, after a 4-1 win against Leicester City back in July 2020.

"Wow. It's a big statement," Kluivert added. "Losing 1-0 and having the team spirit to come back is incredible."

Semenyo started the revival with a wonderful piece of solo brilliance, charging past Timothy Castagne before squeezing through the legs of Bernd Leno from a narrow angle near the byline.

He then added another goal and an assist for Kluivert's gorgeous 25-yard strike, taking him to six goals for the season.

In fact, since the start of May, Semenyo has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League (12 – eight goals, four assists).

Manchester City's Erling Haaland is the only player with more goals than Semenyo this season, having netted eight times in another rapid start to the campaign.

Semenyo is not getting caught up in the numbers, instead focusing on enjoying his football and developing under Iraola.

"I'm not looking at that, I'm just keeping focus on what I am doing, playing with confidence and a smile on my face," he told Sky Sports. 

"I enjoy playing with this team, and hopefully, many more goals and assists to come.

"In previous seasons, I have hit the ball too quickly, so throughout the off-season it was about being calm. I know if I place it, I will score. That's what I have implemented this season, and the results are showing."