EDDIE Howe says Cherries can take inspiration from two "standard-bearing" performances as they head into tonight's clash with Manchester City seeking a return to their swashbuckling early-season form.

Cherries thumped Hull City at Vitality Stadium in mid-October – but it was in the two home matches either side of their 6-1 victory over the Tigers that the manager saw his team hit the heights he demands.

Howe’s side beat Everton 1-0 on September 24, and four weeks later played out a thrilling scoreless draw with Tottenham.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “For me, probably the two performances that stand out (this season) were against Everton and Tottenham at home.

“We were excellent, mainly off the ball rather than on the ball.

“They were really disciplined, dogged, aggressive performances, where we gave everything in terms of our energy levels to stop the flow of our opponents' games and to implement ours on them.

“Those two games are the standard bearers for us this season and it would be nice to hit those levels again.”

If they are to shut-out Pep Guardiola's team, as they did Everton and Tottenham, Cherries will have to stifle City's glut of superlative attackers.

Nevertheless, Howe insists his side – who came into this round of Premier League fixtures having committed fewer fouls than any of their divisional counterparts – will not resort to underhand tactics to contain their illustrious visitors.

“I’m surprised by that stat (fouls conceded) because in our defensive third it seems like we’re giving away free-kicks for fun at the minute!” said Howe.

“We are what we are, we can’t change our personality… our players’ personalities on the pitch.

“Going back to the Everton and Tottenham games I thought we were aggressive.

“Not in terms of 50/50 tackles, or lunging at players – that’s the easiest thing to do in the world. More in terms of getting close to them and stopping them playing, stopping their rhythm.

“That doesn’t need a foul. It just takes work rate, energy and tactical discipline.

“I don’t think we’re going to change our players’ nature, but certainly hard work, and all the things associated with that, I believe, is one of our strengths when we’re playing well.”

City, who have hit Cherries for 13 goals across three Premier League meetings, have recently brought in Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus to top up their rich goalscoring stocks.

“I’ve been impressed (by Jesus),” added Howe. “But they have other players who can turn a game in a second.

“We respect their players but there’s no way we can be fearful or worried about any of them.

“Manchester City have been outstanding against us – especially this season.

“We aspire to be them, their style of play, how they line up tactically… everything about their performances is at the highest level.

“Our challenge is to try to bridge that gap and get closer to them. This will be a good chance for us to see if we can do that.”