EDDIE Howe believes “turning small margins in our favour” would be the key for Cherries as they look to close the gap on the Premier League’s big guns.

Defeat by Manchester United at Vitality Stadium last night was Cherries’ 10th reverse in 12 games against the current top six this season.

Cherries have registered wins over Arsenal and Chelsea in their third campaign in the top flight – six points which are likely to prove crucial in the final reckoning.

It was a similar story in their first season in the Premier League when victories over Chelsea and Manchester United helped them finish five points clear of the drop zone.

And banking four points from Liverpool, coupled with draws against United, Tottenham and Arsenal, went a long way to securing ninth place last season, their club-best finish.

In 36 games against Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal, Cherries have taken 19 points out of a possible 108.

The tally comprises five wins and four draws, while Howe’s team has scored 28 goals and conceded no fewer than 89 – and kept just three clean sheets.

Discussing their record against the top six, Howe said: “We are always looking to try to find a way to improve every season. It gets harder and the margins get smaller and smaller.

“Although our record hasn’t been great and we haven’t managed to get the draws I think we have deserved, the games have been a lot more even against them this season.

“It may sound like I am contradicting myself, but even against Manchester United, I felt we were well in the game.

“I didn’t think there was a huge gap between the teams in terms of performance levels but we ended up losing and I can count so many games this season when that has happened.

“We haven’t been embarrassed or disgraced and they have been tight games. Trying to turn those small margins in our favour will be something we will look to do.”

Asked whether he felt Cherries were getting closer to the top teams, Howe replied: “I think at certain times we have.

“There have been games when we have been really pleased with how we have performed. Every season, we have beaten some big teams and those results have been crucial to us staying up. If you were to take away those points, it would have been difficult for us.

“We have learned down the years that if we perform at our very best levels, both individually and collectively, then we have a chance to win.

“If we don’t, invariably, we will get beaten and that was probably how we were at Liverpool on Saturday. Two or three players played well and it isn’t enough. You need to be eight, nine, 10s and 11s to really give the top teams a good game.”