Sports
‘Excellent in everything’: Why Man City moved fast to sign Semenyo
What can you remember about the 2019 January transfer window? Brighton & Hove Albion signed midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for £6.5 million, Peter Crouch moved to Burnley and Liverpool transferred striker Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth for £19 million. But Bristol City technical director Brian Tinnion remembers a move that failed to materialize.
Chelsea, then managed by Maurizio Sarri, spent £57 million to sign USMNT star Christian Pulisic and loaned him back to Borussia Dortmund, but also had eyes on a winger at Bristol City. Chelsea offered £1 million to land the 19-year-old version of Antoine Semenyo, but City wanted a touch more. “There was just too much potential there to even consider an offer like that,” Tinnion told ESPN.
Seven years later, Semenyo has been at the forefront of January transfer talk again after Manchester City snapped up the Bournemouth winger for £65 million (£62.5 million initially, £1.5 million in add-ons, plus 10% of next transfer) on Thursday, activating his release clause before it expired on Saturday.
Gone are the days when Premier League teams would haggle over a measly million here or there for him; he has become a genuine box office attraction. But talk to those who’ve seen his rise from when he stepped away from the game a decade ago — disillusioned by having so many academy doors slammed in his face — to now, and there’s no miracle story. It’s a story of hard work, faith, dedication and an unwavering positive attitude.
– O’Hanlon: Ranking Premier League transfer needs for top clubs in January
– Ogden: Premier League transfer overperformers: Madueke, Xhaka, more
– Marcotti, Ogden: What transfers should Man United make in January?
‘When he struck a ball, it stayed struck’
Semenyo’s path to the Etihad Stadium started with him navigating his way through the West Country. After failing to latch on at Fulham and Crystal Palace, he took a year out of the game to play basketball. But at age 16, he was tempted back and ended up at a trial day at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. Ex-Leeds boss Dave Hockaday was there scouting for talent for South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS), where he was head of football. Hockaday was impressed by the confident central midfielder and thought he’d be better suited as a forward.
Tinnion was a frequent visitor to SGS matches, scouting for academy talent in his role as head of recruitment at Bristol City back in 2017. “[Semenyo] took our attention straight away, to be honest,” he said. “He really stood out. You could see he had pace and a hell of a shot on him, but there was a lot of work to be done — so that suited us just fine.”
Semenyo was loaned to Bath City in 2017-18 and had to bide his time, but a hat trick against Welton Rovers in the quarterfinal of the Somerset Premier Cup in February 2018 caught attention; it’s still making the rounds on social media.
Four years ago Antoine Semenyo was playing for Bath City in a Somerset Cup quarter-final against Welton Rovers.
Today, the 22-year-old is on the bench for Ghana at a #FIFAWorldCup 🇬🇭#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup https://t.co/E28BBEYBzh
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 24, 2022
You can see glimpses of the player he is now on his first goal as he measures his run onto the through ball from Andy Watkins, glides over the pockmarked pitch and tucks the shot into the near corner, having evaded a late challenge. Behind the Bristol End at Twerton Park, there were 19 supporters — you can count them — and he celebrated in front of the sole photographer.
Then-Bath City manager Jerry Gill watched that goal recently. “He was really spindly back then,” he told ESPN. “But he’d have no fear physically in going up against big defenders … He had the physical attributes then, but you can see how much technical work he’s done. But when he struck a ball, it stayed struck.”
The next season, in 2018-19, Semenyo went on loan to League Two’s Newport County. “I think they played Leicester in the FA Cup on the telly, and he was a real handful,” Tinnion said. “Everybody started talking about him a little bit then, and that’s when the offer from Chelsea came in.”
Semenyo spent half of the 2019-20 campaign on loan with Sunderland. Tinnion said he struggled a bit there, but came back to Bristol City and worked hard, breaking out during the 2020-21 campaign. About four years after that hat trick against ninth-tier Welton Rovers, Semenyo came off the bench for Ghana in the 2022 World Cup against Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal.
“After coming back from there, he had a brilliant spell just before [the January move] for us,” Tinnion said — Semenyo scored four in four matches. “He’d arrived on the stage.” A year later, Bournemouth beat out Crystal Palace to snap him up for £10.5 million as a backup striker to Solanke.
Though he played as a midfielder at school and as a striker at Bristol City, he settled on the flanks. When Solanke was injured for a spell in 2023-24, Semenyo spoke to Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola about returning up front. Training didn’t go to plan, so Semenyo stayed out wide. “I came to Bournemouth with intentions of playing as a striker, but playing out wide, I felt I was more effective getting on the ball,” he said. “So it was a case of coming to that realization that, ‘OK, I am a wide man now.'”
He evolved with Bournemouth’s direct, attacking style. They look to strip the game back to one-on-one duels in attack, and Semenyo has flourished. He contributed 11 goals plus assists in the 2023-24 season, and 20 in 2024-25. “His finishing is so much better,” Tinnion said. “He was always a little bit erratic and would look to hammer and smash everything, but now you see him just placing them in the corner with his right foot, with his left foot, and he’s so much more controlled.”
At the start of the 2025-26 season, he wrote down his aims in his journals. He had already signed a new deal with Bournemouth, saying at the time that he liked to feel appreciated and that it was “God’s work,” so his targets for the season were double-figure goals and assists, and fine-tuning his decision-making on when to pass and shoot. He always keeps an eye on the goalkeeper’s legs and how far apart they are, looking for an angle through them. As of Thursday, he is already at 13 goal contributions this season.
What Semenyo brings to Man City
By Tor-Kristian Karlsen
0:55
What will Antoine Semenyo bring to Man City?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate what Antoine Semenyo will bring to Manchester City ahead of his potential move from AFC Bournemouth.
The Bournemouth winger has turned into one of the league’s most uncomfortable opponents for defenders because of his ability to get through on goal with a variety of skills and threats. Iraola has used him across the front line, and Semenyo can fill practically any role without his level dropping — even as a center forward — though he still looks most natural starting from the left and shifting inside onto his right foot.
His most impactful aspect is arguably his ball carrying due to his explosiveness over the first five meters, plus his ability to reach top speed quickly. Once he finds space, Semenyo tends to go for the direct impact rather than controlled, low-risk progression.
More of a momentum forward who turn games through bursts and dashes, Semenyo is not conceptually a high-volume goal scorer. Yet the trend line is interesting as he’s on 10 league goals from 20 appearances, reaching double figures once again. His expected goals tally (6.7) points to an efficient finisher, while his shot involvement — usually clean, right-footed efforts — and chance-creation numbers match his constantly active presence around the box.
While his dribbling volume is decent (4.1 take-ons per 90 minutes) rather than exorbitant, his off-the-ball work also makes him stand out. With his knack for well-timed “third-player runs” and his willingness to wholeheartedly sprint beyond the ball, he’s an important part of Bournemouth’s direct attack by often giving them a second wave in transition that is difficult to defend. He consistently attacks space with maximum intensity, stretching defensive lines and creating space for others.
Semenyo also offers defensive value as he constantly engages in duels. Even when he struggles to impose himself on the attacking rhythm, the pressing and willingness to regain possession is always present.
While he can function in settled possession sides, he’s clearly at his most dangerous in open, end-to-end matches where the pitch opens up and his power, timing and directness become decisive weapons.
‘Real enthusiasm and energy’
Those who’ve worked with Semenyo talk about his humility, work ethic and eagerness to leave a positive legacy in the sport. Back in August, he reported that he had been racially abused in a match against Liverpool (the individual has denied the allegation and a trial will take place in April). In November, Semenyo met a young Bournemouth supporter named Mylo who had been racially abused at school. The two bonded, vowing to help each other out.
Gill, who was assistant manager at Yeovil until early December, still hears from Semenyo often. “He was messaging me about a player he knew who was looking for an opportunity,” Gill said. “He was saying he’s been a bit unlucky — you know, usual story with injuries and things.
“He’s always inviting me and my boys to come and watch him play. He’s still a very humble young man.”
Jerry Gill (right) was manager of Bath City during Antoine Semenyo’s 2018 stint at the club. Photo credit: Simon Howe/Bath City FC.
All the while, other clubs have monitored him. One expert said he’s a player who hasn’t yet found his ceiling, citing Bayern Munich‘s Michael Olise as a similar example and noting how playing for the German team has improved him. There’s a feeling that Semenyo could likewise flourish; though he’ll need time to adjust after being so attuned to Bournemouth’s style, he has the potential to get even better.
That potential and the personality are why City are open to paying the transfer fee, much to Bournemouth’s sadness. “It’s no secret he is a massive player for us,” Iraola said in late December.
When he makes his Manchester City debut, there’ll be a host of figures who have tracked his journey watching eagerly. From the Somerset Premier Cup to playing for Pep Guardiola, it has been an incredible trajectory.
“He’s had to do the hard yards,” Gill said. “He was excellent in everything he did, the way he carried himself, the way he trained, and has this wonderful smile with real enthusiasm and energy for the game. … If anyone deserves it, it’s definitely him.”
After being loudly booed, Vinícius Júnior danced again. This time in front of Real Madrid supporters while leading his team to the round of 16 of the Champions League, a week after accusing a Benfica opponent of racially insulting him.
The Brazilian scored in the 80th minute to clinch a 2-1 victory for the record 15-time European champions in the second leg of their playoff tie to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Vinícius celebrated by dancing by the corner flag just like in the first leg — then in front of Benfica fans — which ignited a confrontation with the Portuguese team’s players and the accusation that Gianluca Prestianni called him a racist slur.
“I’m glad Vini dances and keeps dancing, that means he’s scoring goals,” said Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
“That’s our Vinícius,” added midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who scored Madrid’s first goal in the 16th, a couple of minutes after Benfica had taken the lead through Rafa Silva.
Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended one match by UEFA and did not play Wednesday even though the Argentine traveled to the Spanish capital. UEFA earlier Wednesday rejected Benfica’s last-minute appeal against the provisional suspension.
Last week’s match was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the referee installed the anti-racism protocol following Vinícius’ complaint to him.
On Wednesday, Vinícius scored on a breakaway, calmly sending a low shot past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal in his past five matches for Madrid.
The more than 3,000 Benfica fans at the Bernabéu jeered nearly every time Vinícius touched the ball. They celebrated when he lost control of the ball early in the game. The Benfica supporters also booed emphatically when the name of the Brazilian player was announced in the starting lineup ahead of the match.
The boos gradually lost force as the match went on and Madrid took control of the game.
Vinícius also participated in the buildup of what would have been Madrid’s second goal, but it was disallowed for offside.
Before Wednesday’s match, Madrid fans displayed a banner saying “No To Racism.” A “respect” banner also was shown behind one of the goals at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid said in a statement after the match it “urgently requested” the club’s disciplinary committee to open a procedure to expel a fan who was caught by television cameras performing a Nazi salute before the match.
Madrid said the supporter appeared to be part of its organized fan group behind one of the goals at the Bernabeu.
“This member was identified by the club’s security staff moments after appearing on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,” the club said. “Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society.”
Madrid fans also jeered when Benfica central defender Nicolás Otamendi touched the ball. Otamendi, who is also Argentine, was one of the players that confronted Vinícius after the Brazilian’s celebration by the Benfica flag.
Also missing for Benfica was coach José Mourinho, the former Madrid coach who was sent off late in the first leg for complaining to the referee. Mourinho did not participate in the pregame news conference Tuesday and was expected to watch the match from the stands at the Bernabéu.
Madrid defender Raúl Asencio had to be carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for tests after a hard collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga in the second half.
The central defender hit the ground hard and had to be attended to for a few minutes on the field. The medical staff immobilized him before taking him off the field.
Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said Asencio apparently injured his neck but “it wasn’t serious.”
Madrid were already without France forward Kylian Mbappé, who missed Wednesday’s game with a knee injury.
“I hope it’s not serious, and he can come back in a few days or weeks,” Arbeloa said.
“Without Kylian, we need [Vini] even more. … He has to be our leader.”
ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A deadly shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island last week claimed a third victim, a grandfather whose daughter and grandson were also killed in the attack, authorities said Wednesday.
Gerald Dorgan, who had been in critical condition, died from his injuries, according to Pawtucket police.
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said he was heartbroken that another person had died because of the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence,” he said in a statement.
Dorgan’s daughter, Rhonda Dorgan, and grandson, Aidan Dorgan, were also killed in the shooting.
Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dorgan also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, authorities said. Robert Dorgan’s ex-wife was Rhonda Dorgan and adult son was Aidan Dorgan.
Officials have said the shooter was specifically targeting family members.
Rhonda Dorgan’s mother, Linda Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded.
Law enforcement have credited several people who intervened and quickly stopped the attack. At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them.
Less than two months remain until WrestleMania 42 from Las Vegas in April, and this Saturday marks a critical stop along the way. Chicago’s United Center will host the 16th WWE Elimination Chamber premium live event (7 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited), where the WrestleMania card will continue to be constructed.
The show will feature both men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches, during which six wrestlers, surrounded by a steel cage structure, work to pin or submit their opponents until one winner is left standing. That wrestler receives a championship opportunity at WrestleMania. CM Punk will also defend his World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown against Finn Bálor. And the Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee saga continues with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line.
Here are the notes, stats and Elimination Chamber history to know heading into Saturday’s event.
Men’s Elimination Chamber
Participants: Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Jey Uso
1:04
Cody Rhodes: ‘I need to officially point at the WrestleMania sign’
Cody Rhodes previews the Elimination Chamber against Randy Orton, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams, readying to punch his ticket to WrestleMania.
• The first Elimination Chamber match occurred 23 years ago at Survivor Series in 2002. Shawn Michaels won the match to become world heavyweight champion.
• There have been 36 men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches combined, 11 of which have produced new champions.
• Triple H and John Cena share the distinction of most Elimination Chamber victories with four each. Daniel Bryan is next with three. Cena is the most recent Elimination Chamber winner, having won the men’s match in 2025. He turned heel and claimed his record-setting 17th championship the following month at WrestleMania 41.
• This will be a record-setting 10th Elimination Chamber match for Orton. Chris Jericho and Cena sit two back of Orton in the record book with eight entrants. If Orton records two eliminations in Saturday’s match, he will tie Jericho for the most all time (10). Orton is the only participant in the match with an Elimination Chamber win. He won in 2014 and retained the world title on his way to the WrestleMania 30 main event.
• Rhodes has lost three consecutive PLE matches, dating back to Crown Jewel in October 2025. It is Rhodes’ longest PLE losing streak since he returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. On Saturday, Rhodes will make his first Elimination Chamber appearance since his WWE return, but not his first ever. In his first WWE stint, he took part in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match, won by Bryan in 2012.
• Uso won five straight WWE PLE matches from November 2024 to August 2025 — including his World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania 41. Since then, he’s on a four-match PLE losing streak for the first time since 2020-21.
• Knight is looking for a change in luck at the Elimination Chamber. It has been more than a year since Knight has won a PLE match. Since Crown Jewel in November 2024, he has lost seven consecutive PLE bouts.
Women’s Elimination Chamber
Participants: Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Kiana James and Raquel Rodriguez
• The first women’s Elimination Chamber match occurred in 2018. Bliss won the match and retained her “Raw” women’s championship. This will be the eighth women’s Elimination Chamber match in history.
• The only superstar with multiple women’s Elimination Chamber wins is Bianca Belair (2022 and 2025). Bliss or Asuka could join her on that list this weekend.
• Stratton is aiming to avoid her third straight WWE PLE loss after Liv Morgan eliminated her to win the Royal Rumble and Stephanie Vaquer defeated her to win the 2025 Crown Jewel Championship. Stratton hasn’t experienced a three-loss skid in PLE matches since her first three on the main roster in early 2024.
• Asuka has not won a match at a PLE event since Elimination Chamber in 2024, when the Kabuki Warriors defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
• Rodriguez could earn her first career singles victory at a WWE PLE this weekend. Rodriguez, who holds the women’s record for tag title reigns with six, has accumulated only tag team victories in her WWE PLE career.
• Will anyone run the table in this match? Only one wrestler, Shayna Baszler in 2020, has ever recorded every elimination in an Elimination Chamber match.
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Finn Bálor
1:24
Previewing CM Punk vs. Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber
Arda Ocal previews a huge match for the world heavyweight title between CM Punk and Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber in Chicago.
• The winner of this match is destined for a WrestleMania collision with Roman Reigns. Bálor defeated Reigns on his first night on the WWE main roster — the July 25, 2016, edition of “Raw.”
• This will be CM Punk’s first PLE match in Chicago since he took down Jericho at Payback in 2013. Overall, he has wrestled in six WWE PLE matches from Chicago and has a 4-2 record. One of Punk’s two UFC fights also occurred in Chicago.
• Punk is in the midst of an impressive run. He has not lost a match in more than two months. During that stretch, he successfully has retained the World Heavyweight Championship in three television matches against Bron Breakker, AJ Styles and his Elimination Chamber opponent, Bálor.
• It has been two years since Bálor last won a PLE match. In fact, his last such win occurred at the 2024 Elimination Chamber. At that event, he and Damian Priest successfully defended their tag titles against Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee
1:05
Best moments of WWE Elimination Chamber history
Relive some of the top moments of Elimination Chamber history as we gear up for Saturday’s event.
• Lee will compete in her first championship match in more than 11 years. Her last title bout occurred in December 2014, when she battled Nikki Bella at Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs for the Divas Championship.
• Lynch is 3-0 at Elimination Chamber. Her last such win occurred in 2024, when she won the women’s Elimination Chamber match.
• Lee will make her second career Chicago PLE appearance after she defeated Kaitlyn to win the Divas Championship at Payback in 2013.
“Heated Rivalry” Season 2 is coming “as soon as humanly possible,” says creator Jacob Tierney
Vinícius Jr. seals Real Madrid progress amid Benfica boos
Third victim dies from injuries in Rhode Island rink shooting
-
Tech7 days agoA $10K Bounty Awaits Anyone Who Can Hack Ring Cameras to Stop Sharing Data With Amazon
-
Fashion6 days agoICE cotton ticks higher on crude oil rally
-
Business6 days agoUS Top Court Blocks Trump’s Tariff Orders: Does It Mean Zero Duties For Indian Goods?
-
Business5 days agoEye-popping rise in one year: Betting on just gold and silver for long-term wealth creation? Think again! – The Times of India
-
Entertainment5 days agoViral monkey Punch makes IKEA toy global sensation: Here’s what it costs
-
Sports6 days agoBrett Favre blasts NFL for no longer appealing to ‘true’ fans: ‘There’s been a slight shift’
-
Entertainment6 days agoThe White Lotus” creator Mike White reflects on his time on “Survivor
-
Politics6 days agoUS Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s trade tariff measures