EDDIE Howe guided Cherries to their highest finishing position in club history – and then conceded it had looked “a long way off a couple of months ago”.

Cherries’ point from the 1-1 draw at Leicester yesterday saw them end their second campaign in the top flight in ninth.

However, ahead of the visit to Manchester United at the start of March, Cherries had been just four points clear of the drop zone following an alarming run.

Having beaten champions Leicester at Vitality Stadium in mid-December, Cherries then managed just one win – and six points – from their next 10 games.

But despite having Andrew Surman sent off on the stroke of half-time, Cherries secured a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, a match Howe said had been pivotal.

He told the Daily Echo: “Our final points tally did look a long way off a couple of months ago.

“We were in the middle of a really difficult run. It is easy to feel very content now but, at times throughout the season, it was very difficult.

“Thankfully, the point at Manchester United transformed our season. It was a pivotal game and we didn’t look back after that.”

Howe has improved the club’s finishing league position for the sixth time in succession since he first took the reins in 2009.

Cherries' finishing positions under Eddie Howe

2008-09 – 21st in League Two

2009-10 – 2nd in League Two (promoted) 

2012-13 – 2nd in League One (promoted)

2013-14 – 10th in Championship

2014-15 – 1st in Championship (promoted)

2015-16 – 16th in Premier League

2016-17 – 9th in Premier League