Harry Arter hails Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe for sticking to principles

06 December 2015 12:16

Harry Arter lauded manager Eddie Howe for sticking to his tactical philosophy after Bournemouth earned a memorable 1-0 win at Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea.

Eight matches without a win - since defeating Sunderland on September 19 - left many commentators pondering whether Howe might have to sacrifice Bournemouth's attractive style of play to stay in the top flight.

But the Cherries fully merited victory through Glenn Murray's goal in a result which Howe described as the best in a history which has seen the club flirt with extinction.

Midfielder Arter told Cherries Player: "A lot of people have spoken about changing the way we play and every great team never changes the way they play if they've had a few indifferent results.

"The manager's key to that, that's why he's going to be one of the best managers in the country.

"It's good that our philosophy, which has been criticised, has come out on top.

"To come here, the champions last year, and to perform the way we did was unbelievable."

The performance was in the planning and the execution, Arter says.

"These are the sort of games you want to get promoted for and the grounds you want to come and play at," he added.

"In a way they're free games you're never expect to win. You come here as a learning experience, probably more learning than you hope to get a result.

"(But) we put pressure on ourselves to win. The manager started his game plan on Monday and it wasn't just by luck. We worked hard for that performance."

It was also a second clean sheet of the season, after the one against Sunderland.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc returned from a six-week injury lay off and denied Chelsea time and again.

Like Arter, Boruc was pleased the Cherries' style was rewarded.

"We are keen to always try and play our way," he said.

"That is to keep the ball, pass out from the back and play open, attacking football.

"But it's important as well that we can make it count. We did that and I am sure that will be most pleasing for all of the lads."

"It's a big result for the players and the club.

"Personally I am delighted to keep a clean sheet - that's very important to me.

"Chelsea played well and had a lot of possession, but we were able to go down the other end, take our chance and get a goal."

Next for Bournemouth is Manchester United on the south coast.

Midfielder Matt Ritchie said: "I wouldn't have thought they'd fancy it. We'll try to make it a tough game for them."

Source: PA