Junior Kroupi scored an important goal in more than one way. First there is the impact on the championship, with this draw between Bournemouth and Manchester City (1-1) which allows Arsenal to be assured of its first coronation since 2004. And there is the personal aspect, with a new official record.
With this lovely curled shot, the former Lorient player scored his 13th goal of the season in the Premier League. Never has a player under 20 scored so much in his first season in the English championship. Kroupi does better than Robbie Fowler (Liverpool, 1993-1994) and Robbie Keane (Coventry City, 1999-2000).
With his 18 goals in 1997-1998, at 18 years old, the phenomenon Michael Owen had done better, but it was not his first season in the PL (he had played two matches in 1996-1997).
Kroupi chose France well
Clearly, Junior Kroupi has brilliantly made the big leap to the Premier League. He is one of the best young players in the Championship, and Bournemouth may struggle to keep him this summer.
And the other good news is that the French international hopefuls chose to play for the France team, while he could opt for Ivory Coast (his father played for the Elephants) and for Portugal. Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese coach, confirms that he approached Kroupi before being rejected.
