The return of Luton Town and captain Tom Lockyer to the south coast was always going to be an emotional evening, but it turned into an absolutely astonishing evening to boot.
The Dean Court faithful witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history as they overturned a 3-0 scoreline at half-time to beat Luton Town 4-3 thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke, Illia Zabarnyi and Antoine Semenyo.
It’s easy to get washed away with the emotion of it all, but when it’s pointed out that it was the first time in 21 years that a Premier League team have come from 3-0 down to win, it’s clearly something special to have witnessed.
AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told the BBC after the game…
“Everything went for Luton in the first half, they were really clinical, every time they arrived [in the box] they scored,”
“We needed something to happen early in the second half, the first goal from Dom [Solanke] was key. Then everyone started believing, we kept putting up the pressure and in the end we came back.
“We wanted to get back playing as soon as possible. We ended the first half feeling very bad, they had just scored a third goal. We changed some things, made adjustments, changed some players.
“From there we attacked much better and then the goals came from that point onwards.”
Man of the match against LutonSemenyo
Solanke
Christie
Cook
Unal
Mepham
Someone else
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billythekid
What a great night and I was one of the 11,198 who can say we were there.
It started with Tom Lockyer being introduced to the fans.
Losing 0-3 at half-time and the team booed off the field, we waited to see what changes our manager would make and hopefully get us back in the game as his substitutes did last Saturday.
On came Tavernier who had been dropped/rested and Unal.
Tavernier looked a different player, really causing problems for the Town defence and Unal who scored after coming on against the Blades on Saturday was the provider for Semenyo’s second and winning goal.
Semenyo could have had a hat-trick but blazed his first effort over the bar.
Solanke got his goal and what a good goal it was, but he also worked his socks off.
Semenyo was given the MOM, but I think our manager deserves it as well for his substitutions again.
On the way back home was listening to Solent and they said we are only the third Premier League team to come back from losing 0-3.
Rob Edwards, Andoni Iraola and Antoine Semenyo react to an INCREDIBLE game at Bournemouth 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zTDqShyoHe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 13, 2024
thegazzyb
Seven points from nine in the last three.
Playing against teams absolutely fighting for their lives right now.
However it was achieved, that is an excellent return!
Today once more we showed incredible strength of character and giving up was never going to be an option. You have to love the spirit in this team. Plenty to improve upon but when we’re on it we are freaking brilliant!
9' Bournemouth 0-1 Luton
31' Bournemouth 0-2 Luton
45+1' Bournemouth 0-3 Luton
50' Bournemouth 1-3 Luton
62' Bournemouth 2-3 Luton
64' Bournemouth 3-3 Luton
83' Bournemouth 4-3 LutonJust the fifth time in #PL history a side has won from 3-0 down and the first since 2003 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UBhIXaFepc
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 13, 2024
afcb_rednblack
An abysmal first half, contrasted with an amazing second half. I was disappointed that we played with one up front from the start given we’re at home and given the opposition, so I was pleased we changed that for the second half as Dom had so many on him.
Putting the first half behind us, well done Andoni, you got the changes spot on in the second half, and well done the players for the way in which you took hold of the game and never stopped.
We’re safe so much to celebrate!
Mood 😤 pic.twitter.com/kTYkuTVWY3
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 13, 2024
SlowDownDerek
Well, that was fun … in the end. That first half was absolutely atrocious and tbh it was all on the manager. Dango is a rookie left back so to play Sinisterra in front of him leaving him exposed was a terrible idea. He’s not a bad left back but is inevitably going to need support as he adapts to the role so that first-half lineup threw him under the bus.
Fair play to the manager for changing, it would have been easy to replace Dango with Kerkez but he recognised the issue was ahead of him.
Tavernier did well, Unal was useful, and Adams good cameo… Semenyo is the man!
Always believe innnnn 🎶 pic.twitter.com/Y2BBx18ug5
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 13, 2024
ANWardy
Crazy game, but I was distinctly unimpressed after the first half, credit to Luton they had a game plan and it worked to perfection.
Second half once Dom had sparked us into life it was just the question of whether we would finish enough chances to get back into it, not would we make them.
Amazing how polarizing we can be, lovely we have the talent in the squad to change games like we have in the last two with subs and tactical tweaks. – To join the conversation, click here.
