JUBILANT manager Eddie Howe led Cherries to a famous victory in an epic title battle and then said it had been a “fitting reward” for his team to win the Championship.

Cherries’ 3-0 triumph at Charlton, coupled with a dramatic draw for rivals Watford, saw the Dorset club crowned champions after the campaign had taken one last twist on the final day.

Howe’s team had looked destined to claim the runners-up spot before a late leveller from Sheffield Wednesday’s Atdhe Nuhiu swung the pendulum in their favour.

Nuhiu, who had won a penalty to earn the Owls a 2-2 draw at Dean Court a fortnight ago, struck late on to stun the Hornets and ruin their celebrations at Vicarage Road.

Howe said: “It was a fantastic feeling and not something we had expected. We wanted to do our job, be professional and make sure we took care of our side of things. Then, we were hopeful of a favour from Sheffield Wednesday.

“I thought it would be a difficult game for Watford because when we played Wednesday recently, we had heartbreak late on and they never gave up. They again showed they were a good side so we were thankful for that bit of help.

“But I thought we deserved it. In my opinion, we have been the best team consistently this season and led the division for the longest time. It is fitting reward for the players who have had a magnificent season.

“We played good football, we scored a lot of goals and improved defensively, which shouldn’t go unnoticed. That is why I feel we have consistently been the best team so I am delighted the players can call themselves champions because it is fully justified.”

While victory over Bolton on Monday had all but sealed Cherries’ place in the Premier League, they had headed to The Valley seeking the win which would guarantee promotion.

And goals from Matt Ritchie and Harry Arter inside the opening 12 minutes effectively ended the game as a contest before Ritchie added his second and the visitors’ third in the second half.

Asked whether he felt Cherries’ promotion had been astonishing, Howe agreed before adding: “You could use any superlative you wanted.

“Those people who watched us six years ago would probably say it was astonishing. You wouldn’t believe the club could be in this position and that is not taking anything away from the players to say they are not good enough to be in this position because they have proved they are.

“It has been difficult to take in the club’s rapid rise from the bottom of League Two to where we are now. It has happened at such speed.

“My playing career was hit by obstacles, hurdles and setbacks so I think that served me well for my management career where nothing surprises me, whether it is good or bad.

“A couple of years ago, we looked like we were going to be champions in League One until the final seconds when Doncaster scored a breakaway goal at Brentford. It felt like we had been relegated that day, not promoted and we finished second.

“We have experienced the other side and how Watford would have felt and we feel for them. It was nice to be on the other side this time where you can share in the achievement because winning the division was what this team deserved.

“It makes it very special because we’d had two second places in League Two and League One. For various reasons, both promotions were historic achievements and the players associated with those teams were magnificent. But it was great to finish on top this time.”