ANTOINE Semenyo is a ‘great kid’ and a fantastic talent, Tommy Elphick said.

The Ghanaian played a starring role in Cherries’ comfortable 3-1 victory over south coast neighbours Southampton on Monday night, scoring a sensational solo goal to send the hosts into half time with a 3-0 lead.

He was awarded man of the match having played important roles in both previous goals and continued his fine start to the season.

To date, the 24-year-old has scored three goals and notched one assist, including a late equaliser in Cherries’ opening game of the season at Nottingham Forest and netting the first in their dramatic late comeback at Everton.

Assistant coach Elphick told the Daily Echo after the Saints victory that Semenyo is ‘such a great kid, such a talent’.

(Image: Richard Crease)

He explained: “He can go both ways. Left foot, right foot, he can go down the outside, inside.

“He's made such a great start to the season. We sat down with Ant at the start of the season when we were away in preseason and just spoke about how we can get some more goals for him and assists.

“It's been good to see the work come to the fore, really, and it doesn't take us by surprise.”

Also on the scoresheet against Saints was club-record signing Evanilson, who joined Cherries in a deal that could be worth up to £40.2million.

This came after Dominic Solanke joined Tottenham Hotspur for £55million, with the potential for a further £10million in add-ons, after the Englishman scored 19 league goals last term for the Cherries.

The Brazilian’s well-taken goal after 17 minutes was his first in Bournemouth colours, with pressure rising for him to begin scoring for the club, particularly after missing a penalty last time out at home against Chelsea.

(Image: Richard Crease)

But Elphick said his performances and eventual goal comes as no surprise to the Cherries squad and coaching staff.

“Obviously, when you come with such a price tag and you try to fill the boots of someone who's left, who's served the club so well, there's always pressure with that, but there's no surprise to us,” Elphick said.

“There's been a little bit of noise, probably outside, but in terms of the way he's been training, what we've seen daily, it's no surprise that he's got the type of goal that he's got tonight.”