Bournemouth completed a remarkable three-goal comeback to deny Luton Town much needed points from a 4-3 affair at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday in a game replayed after near tragedy earlier this season.
Antoine Semenyo scored twice to join Dominic Solanke and Illia Zabarnyi on the score sheet as the Cherries came back from 3-0 down to beat the Hatters, who had built a halftime lead on goals from Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Ross Barkley.
WATCH BOURNEMOUTH v LUTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
Luton remain in the bottom three with 21 points, three off weekend opponents Nottingham Forest, while Bournemouth are probably safe with the win. The Cherries are 14 points clear with nine matches left on their Premier League docket.
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The original game in December was abandoned due to Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch and there is a special bond between these two clubs given the heroic actions of staff and medics from both clubs and the Bournemouth area on that day. The two sets of supporters have bonded too and this was a special occasion as Lockyer is now healthy and on the road to recovery.
Luton must bounce back after roller coaster ride
Tom Lockyer was in the house and the away fans were buzzing along with their captain in the stands as Luton looked set to claim a place outside the bottom three following a three-goal first half at the Vitality Stadium.
Unfortunately, Andoni Iraola said all the right words and pushed all the right buttons as Bournemouth more or less sealed another Premier League season with their sensational second-half at home.
Halftime subs Marcus Tavernier and Enes Unal were both effective while Ryan Christie seized the midfield by the scruff of the neck andy a Antoine Semenyo channeled pure electricity in his brace-supplying half.
Now Luton have to find renewed intensity at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, an 11am ET Saturday scrap with a team three points and two goals of differential above them on the table. A win swings so much, but the Hatters were emotionally swung all over the park on Wednesday.
Rebound? We wouldn’t bet against it with this group, but it’s a huge ask.
What’s next?
Bournemouth wait til March 30 for a visit from Everton, while Luton are back at it Saturday with a huge visit from Nottingham Forest.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Luton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3:30pm ET Wednesday (March 13)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Bournemouth vs Luton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Bournemouth vs Luton final score: 4-3
Goals: Chong (9'), Ogbene (31'), Barkley (45+1'), Solanke (51'), Zabarnyi (62'), Semenyo (64', 84')
Bournemouth vs Luton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Luton Town player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Luton Town player ratings (from fotmob.com)
All the way back, Antoine Semenyo — Bournemouth 4-3 Luton
The Cherries have done it, as Semenyo works a 1-2 with Enes Unal.
Ross Barkley loses Semenyo and the Ghanaian hits a shot with massive power. Kaminski can only get a piece of it.
Tyler Adams makes league debut for Bournemouth
The USMNT subs into this remarkable match for a first Premier League outing for Bournemouth after a long injury layoff.
Antoine Semenyo goal! It’s level! Bournemouth 3-3 Luton
A long searching ball is run onto by Antoine Semenyo, who has work to do.
Daiki Hashioka gives Semenyo a bit more room than he should, and Semenyo cuts on his left foot and snaps a shot inside the near post.
Remarkably, Bournemouth’s three-goal deficit has been erased in just over 13 minutes.
Illia Zabarnyi goal! Bournemouth 2-3 Luton
A wild goal mouth sequence ends with Illia Zabarnyi heading just over the line.
It took a check of the ref’s watch, but Bournemouth’s back within one!
Dominic Solanke goal! Bournemouth 1-3 Luton
Ooh that’s pretty.
Chris Mepham heads a partially-blocked shot over the Luton back line, and Solanke bodies up his man and turns him before chopping the ball past Thomas Kaminski.
Cherries back within one.
Halftime — Bournemouth 0-3 Luton
Who in the world saw this coming?
Three shots each, but all three Luton efforts have gone into the Bournemouth goal.
The Cherries may boast 61% of the ball and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks, but the Hatters have countered clinically to take a 3-0 halftime lead and jut their heads above the dreaded line.
Ross Barkley goal (video)! It’s a 3-0 lead! — Bournemouth 0-3 Luton (45+1' minute)
Wow. Boos are raining down from the stands at the Vitality Stadium as the visiting Hatters make it three.
Rob Edwards’ men would need an epic collapse to not move out of the bottom three.
Issa Kobare sends Ross Barkley into the box and the ex-Everton man absolutely unloads on a high shot inside the near post.
A stunner on the south coast of England.
2-0! Ogbene doubles the lead — Bournemouth 0-2 Luton (31st minute)
Bournemouth had settled into possession but Luton’s been primed for the counter and that’s where the second goal arrives at the Vitality Stadium.
Alfie Doughty gets yet another assist with a well-weighted assist into the six for a charging Chiedozie Ogbene to push home.
Chong heads home for dream start — Bournemouth 0-1 Luton (9th minute)
It’s Jordan Clark taking an entry from the right wing and chipping a cross to the back post.
Several Bournemouth players and perhaps a keeper too will be red-faced after an unmarked Tahith Chong heads in from close range.
Bournemouth lineup
Neto; Cook, Mephan, Scott, Zabarnyi, Christie, Smith, Sinisterra, Semenyo, Ouattara, Solanke.
Luton Town lineup
Kaminski, Kabore, Burke, Mengi, Hashioka, Doughty, Barkley, Clark, Chong, Ogbene, Morris.
Bournemouth team news, focus
The Cherries have struggled to pick up wins in recent months but they’re so tough to play against and USMNT fans will be hoping their captain Tyler Adams can get some minutes in the upcoming games after he was back on the bench this weekend against Sheffield United. Defensively Bournemouth have plenty of of injuries as Iraola is down to the bare bones for his back four.
OUT: Marcos Senesi (hamstring), Max Aarons (thigh), Ryan Fredericks (calf), James Hill (ankle), Lloyd Kelly (groin)
Luton team news, focus
Just look at the injuries Luton have and the fact they’re still in touching distance with safety is remarkable. They could have almost an entire starting lineup out injured for this game but Edwards’ side know what they’re good at and stick to it. Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend are using all of their experience and stepping up at big moments, while Carlton Morris is leading the line magnificently.
OUT: Jacob Brown (knee), Tom Lockyer (heart), Dan Potts (thigh), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf), Amari’i Bell (thigh), Joseph Johnson (illness) | QUESTIONABLE: Teden Mengi (knock), Albert Sambi Lokonga (thigh), Gabriel Osho (knee), Elijah Adebayo (thigh)