JUBILANT manager Eddie Howe piloted Cherries to another famous landmark and then praised his players for their mental toughness.

Victory over Premier League West Brom last night saw Cherries reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in their history.

See all the pictures from the historic win against West Bromwich Albion in a gallery

It came just four days after Howe’s class of 2014 had written a new chapter in the Dean Court record books by chalking up their biggest win in the Football League – 8-0 at Birmingham.

Howe made no fewer than 10 changes to his starting line-up and Eunan O’Kane’s finely-taken goal at the start of the second half had looked destined to win the day for Cherries.

However, West Brom were thrown a lifeline when Cherries skipper Tommy Elphick inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to restore parity with just four minutes remaining.

But Cherries hit back immediately and leading goalscorer Callum Wilson grabbed a dramatic winner to put them in the hat for tonight’s quarter-final draw.

Howe said: “The equaliser was like a dagger through the heart because we didn’t want extra-time. Our players had given so much that we feared if it had gone to extra-time, we would have had a few who would have struggled physically.

“I think there is a big difference between Premier League players and our guys, particularly with the fact a lot of our players haven’t played a lot of football and we made so many changes. We conceded but we had the mentality to stay strong, go up the other end and score the winner. That response shows how strong we are.

“We hoped one goal would be enough. We defended really well and our goalkeeper made a couple of good saves when called upon and we were unfortunate with the own goal. The mentality of the group is such that we were able to make the changes but they didn’t affect our performance.

“The guys who have been out of the team have shown a really good attitude and have been very professional. You don’t perform as well as they did if you sulk or let not being in the team affect you negatively.

“We have a very good dressing room and there are no problems with motivation levels. Those guys knew they needed to perform. They have watched the other lads perform so well and there was a lot of pressure on them to stand up and do the same.

“The club has had some dark days and has never before been in this position. To be in the quarter-final of a major cup competition is an incredible journey. It is a very satisfying feeling to bring so much joy to all our supporters, not just for me but for the staff and players as well.”

Cherries ran out deserved winners and were joined in the draw by Chelsea, Liverpool, Derby and Sheffield United. Howe is due to attend tonight’s fourth round tie between Tottenham and Brighton, while Manchester City host Newcastle and Southampton visit Stoke.

Howe added: “We try to play a style of football which we stick to whether that is against West Brom or anybody else. To deviate from those principles wouldn’t work for the players. We have those types of players with those types of qualities so wanted to play our normal game.

“If we had lost playing like that, we would have been okay with it as long as the players had stuck to our principles. They did and I thought we were very brave and showed a lot of quality.

“West Brom are a top-quality team. They brought their big guns off the bench and we still managed to find a way to win and that was really pleasing.

“We did the same against Liverpool in the FA Cup last season. We tried to go for them as best we could and make it a Bournemouth game. They were too good for us on the day but our players learned so much from that experience.

“We are by no means the finished article. We have had a great few days but we don’t want that to affect us negatively. Hopefully there are more good days to come. We haven’t achieved anything yet and are keen to move forward if we can.”