INSPIRATIONAL skipper Tommy Elphick scotched suggestions Cherries had taken their foot off the gas and insisted: “We’ve still got work to do.”

Elphick marked his return from long-term injury by leading Cherries to victory at Aston Villa earlier this month as Eddie Howe’s team hit 41 points.

It was his first start in the Premier League for almost six months following an ankle injury with Elphick netting his maiden top-flight goal against Chelsea on Saturday.

Despite the win at Villa Park, successive defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium have prevented Cherries from securing their place at the top table.

Asked whether breaking through the 40-point barrier had led to the players believing they were safe, Elphick replied: “It is so tough because the lads have been through such a roller-coaster season. There have been so many ups and downs and you almost get to that point and take a deep breath.

“It only takes one or two players to drop three or four per cent in this team and in this division and you are going to get punished.

“I thought we saw that with a couple of games recently but, against Chelsea, we were bang on for the first 70 minutes. There was good intensity and endeavour and that has probably come back to bite us a bit.

“The beauty of this team and this manager is that we are always looking to improve so what we have done this season, we will draw a line under very quickly.

“We still have a lot of work to be done and, with three games left, the target is three wins and try to better it next season.

“It has been an unbelievable season considering the knocks we have taken. We have come back stronger from the defeats and the ups and downs.

“Once the season is over, hopefully we will be able to look back and take pride. But it is not over yet and we still have work to do.”