Three things learnt from Bournemouth’s 3-2 victory over West Ham

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First victory of 2017 provides timely relief for Howe

The turn of the year was nothing to celebrate for Bournemouth, whose form nosedived after a 3-0 victory over Swansea City on December 31.

This victory was much-needed as it ended a run of eight matches without a win and built on the crucial point earned at Manchester United the previous weekend, which itself halted a sequence of four successive defeats.

Questions were being asked about Howe and whether he had what it took to arrest the slide. His team answered those questions in emphatic fashion with an excellent performance.

The Cherries’ defensive problems have been well documented and they looked fragile at the back again, but going forward they could easily have scored more than three – particularly if they had not squandered two gilt-edged chances from the penalty spot. The way the players ran to the dugout to celebrate King’s winner with Howe emphasised the unity in the squad.

The way the players ran to the dugout to celebrate King’s winner with Howe emphasised the unity in the squad.