BOSS Eddie Howe successfully piloted Cherries over the Premier League finishing line and then urged the club’s supporters to maintain realistic expectations next season.

Cherries’ top-flight status was finally confirmed after Norwich had lost 1-0 at Arsenal in the 5.30 kick-off on Saturday, leaving the Dorset club clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Howe’s team had been hoping to celebrate with their travelling supporters following Cherries’ 2-1 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park but a late leveller for Sunderland at Stoke denied them.

Since returning for a second spell as manager, Howe, together with assistant Jason Tindall, has guided Cherries from the lower reaches of League One to the Premier League.

Promoted to the top tier for the first time in their history a year ago after winning the Championship, Cherries are on course for a respectable mid-table finish.

Howe said: “There are several challenges we will face next season. There is second-season syndrome and all the things that go with that.

“But there will be advantages as well. The players have experienced the Premier League and will feel like Premier League players. There will be pros and cons next season. We need to make sure that we finish this season well and then look to next season.

“Every club is different and every club has its own aspirations and dreams. I think it is really important that our supporters don’t have expectations that are beyond our level.

“I think one of our successes this season has been that our supporters have clapped us home and away and given us their backing, despite some heavy defeats. That has been absolutely key. The message from me is that we don’t want that to change next season.”

Asked how difficult it would be to maintain momentum, Howe replied: “That will be one of the keys and I think we have to remember where we have come from, who we are and what we represent.

“As long as the supporters can see the players giving everything on the pitch, I think that is all we can ask at this stage.

“It is a problem you want because it goes with success and we have certainly had a lot of that in recent years. It is just making sure it is controlled and it is not to the detriment of the players who have given everything for the club.”

Goals from Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines sandwiched a Marc Pugh effort as Cherries were beaten by the Toffees.

Howe added: “I thought it was an even game. I didn’t think there was a lot in it and neither goalkeeper was overworked. We created some great chances towards the end of the game but didn’t take them.

“It was a good battle between two decent teams. Although they were in a difficult run, I don’t think there is any denying their quality, especially being able to bring on a player like Lukaku, who made a difference for them. I still felt we kept those players relatively quiet.

“How we conceded two goals was a difficult one to work out from our perspective because I thought we looked solid defensively and an improvement on recent weeks.

“People have been accusing us of that (being on holiday) for weeks. I can assure them we are training the players as hard as ever.

“We are desperate to win and desperate to succeed as a group. Losing hurts and it doesn’t matter who you play. Our recent fixtures have been very tough but we are determined to try to end the season on a high if we can.”