FIVE seasons, 190 league games and a total of 1,913 days since their promotion to the Premier League was confirmed – Cherries succumbed to relegation at Everton on the final day of the campaign.

Goals from Joshua King, Dominic Solanke and Junior Stanislas gave them a 3-1 victory over the Toffees on Merseyside.

But Eddie Howe’s men had required snookers. Results elsewhere did not go their way.

Aston Villa got the point they needed at West Ham, meaning Championship football would be staged at Vitality Stadium next season.

Cherries went into the contest at Goodison Park knowing whatever happened elsewhere, they had to win to have any chance of staying in the top flight.

The Dorset club then needed Watford to lose at Arsenal, as well as Villa to be defeated at West Ham. A goalless draw for Villa was enough to seal their fate.

Eddie Howe recalled Solanke up front for their contest, with Adam Smith returning from injury and Dan Gosling back in midfield against his former club. Jack Stacey, Junior Stanislas and Philip Billing dropped to the bench.

And it was Cherries who looked lively in the early stages.

Diego Rico’s dangerous cross narrowly evaded Solanke inside the box before King’s strike on the angle was gathered by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Everton skipper Seamus Coleman then stung the palms of Cherries keeper Aaron Ramsdale at the other end before Steve Cook was able to hack away for the visitors.

A huge chance went begging for Cherries frontman Callum Wilson on 10 minutes. The England forward raced in on goal after running on to King’s through ball – only to be denied by the outstretched right hand of Pickford.

But the Dorset club took the lead from the penalty spot through King after just 13 minutes.

Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the spot-kick after Blues’ forward Richarlison handled in the box. Norwegian King stepped up to stroke into the corner for 1-0, with Watford also losing at Arsenal.

The visitors then had a huge shout for a second spot-kick turned down after the ball flicked up and struck the arm of Lucas Digne inside the box. After a VAR check, nothing was given.

Ramsdale came to the rescue for Cherries on 19 minutes. The stopper made himself big to thwart Theo Walcott, who had sprung the offside trap and fired at goal.

Despite the visitors’ endeavour, the Toffees still left them in a sticky situation after levelling at 1-1.

Coleman was allowed space to pick out Walcott on the right, he in turn squared for Moise Kean to tap home and level four minutes before half-time.

Unfazed by the setback – Howe’s men managed to regain the advantage before the interval.

Rico’s menacing free-kick was met by a leaping Jefferson Lerma and Solanke – the ball fell into the corner of the net, with Solanke credited with the final touch.

Cherries almost had a third just three minutes after the interval. Ramsdale’s long ball forward was brilliantly brought down by Wilson, who let fly with a venomous hit that was parried away to safety.

Howe looked to the bench and brought on Stanislas and Billing for Brooks and Solanke – as the Dorset club looked to see the game out and hope West Ham could overcome Villa.

A glorious chance for Cherries’ to seal their own three points then passed by Wilson 15 minutes from time.

The ball fell for the former Coventry star inside the box but, having taken an extra touch, he failed to pull the trigger and was challenged by Leighton Baines.

But Cherries ensured they had done their bit when substitute Stanislas broke into the home box and sent an effort which squirmed through Pickford for 3-1, meaning all eyes were on Villa’s contest at West Ham.

But despite the Andiry Yarmolenko cancelling out Jack Grealish’s goal for the Irons at London Stadium – that result was enough to send down Cherries.

Everton: Pickford, Coleman (Sidibe, 58), Keane, Branthwaite, Digne (Baines, 71), Andre Gomes, Davies (Bernard, 71), Walcott (Gordon, 58), Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Kean (Calvert-Lewin, 71)

Unused subs: Sidibe, Virginia, Baningime, Simms, Stekelenburg (g/k).

Booked: Keane

Cherries: Ramsdale, Smith, S Cook, Kelly, Rico, Brooks (Stanislas, 64), Gosling, Lerma, King (H Wilson, 89), Solanke (Billing, 64), C Wilson.

Unused subs: Stacey, Ake, L Cook, Danjuma, Surridge, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: None

Referee: Chris Kavanagh