CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe praised his team after seeing them go to the top of the Championshipwith a 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Goals from Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser during a four-minute spell in the second  half sent Cherries to the summit, extending to seven matches their winning run in all competitions.

The hosts were forced to play with 10 men for the last 30 minutes after Royston Drenthe was dismissed for picking up two yellow cards.

Howe said: ''It was another good, professional performance and a big three points.

''I don't think we were at our best in the final third in the first half. We needed an extra pass before shooting and thankfully we got that in the second half with two goals of real quality.

''You need goals to stamp your authority and I back this team to score goals.

''Wednesday are a good side who have surprised a few people this season. I was maybe a little surprised that they didn't press us a bit higher up.

''The red card certainly helped us. I don't think the tackles were in any way malicious, I think they were just mistimed."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray, who has now seen his team go nine league and cup games without a win, said: ''That was not an acceptable performance. That was probably the worst I have felt losing a game with Sheffield Wednesday.

''You're not going to win games of football if you wait until the 85th minute to get a tackle in. You're not going to win football matches by playing square and backwards.

''We lost probably in every department. We seemed to down tools after going down to 10 men.”