Bournemouth end of season review

Thomas Tuchel slams 'absolute disaster' of a decision to deny Bayern Munich a late equaliser against Real Madrid in dramatic Champions League semi-final defeat and blames two officials
A simple mistake swung the Champions League semi-final out of the hands of Harry Kane and into those of Jude Bellingham, writes IAN LADYMAN after Real Madrid's dramatic late comeback
PLAYER RATINGS: Manuel Neuer dropped his lunch at the doorstep having made so many good saves... and which player is the best in the world right now?
Thomas Tuchel insists Harry Kane was injured and he HAD to take him off against Real Madrid - after Bayern Munich boss was slammed for subbing star striker to spark late collapse
Liverpool's net spend of £346m since Jurgen Klopp arrived in 2015 shines a light on the German as he prepares to leave this summer... but how do their big six rivals compare - and who has done the best business?
Should Liverpool ditch Darwin Nunez? He's loved by fans and can torment opponents on his day, but the struggling forward risks becoming a seismic flop like Paul Pogba
Premier League footballer diagnosed with laughing gas addiction treated by paramedics after he was found surrounded by canisters at his city centre flat
Jose Mourinho a 33/1 outsider to be the next Man United manager despite expressing interest in the job - while outgoing Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is a 6/4 favourite to take over should Erik ten Hag be sacked
Ruthless Ratcliffe! Man United's new football chief 'tells employees to work in the office or seek alternative employment' after the billionaire 'revealed staff statistics while working from home'
Kylian Mbappe was quiet, so quiet it screamed back at you as PSG exited the Champions League - his failure to conquer Europe is a full stop on a story long since told, writes CRAIG HOPE
Hull City owner reveals why Liam Rosenior was sacked just FIVE MONTHS after signing a new three-year contract and despite finishing third for Manager of the Season award
Revealed: Why referee Daniele Orsato broke down in TEARS after blowing the full-time whistle in PSG's Champions League defeat by Borussia Dortmund
Matthijs De Ligt reveals what linesman said to him after his errant flag denied Bayern Munich late equaliser against Real Madrid
THE NOTEBOOK: Jude Bellingham has knee jab before semi-final clash, Rodrygo shows support for flood victims... and F1 legend Fernando Alonso among stars at the Bernabeu
Thomas Tuchel issues a come-and-get-me plea to Man United as he says it's 'no secret I loved it at Chelsea and in the Premier League' - admitting it's 'very unlikely' he'll stay at Bayern Munich
Moment Rio Ferdinand tells Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid's second goal against Bayern has been ruled out - before VAR intervened - as Man United legend reveals he had a celebration planned with ex-Chelsea star!
'You CANNOT take him off!': Thomas Tuchel is slammed by Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes for substituting Harry Kane when Bayern Munich led Real Madrid... before boss insists England captain was injured
Harry Kane looks devastated as he hangs his head and hides behind a seat moments after the final whistle following Bayern's dramatic defeat by Real Madrid in Champions League thriller
Fans claim Bayern Munich were 'robbed' by 'awful' decision to deny them a late equaliser in dramatic defeat by Real Madrid... as Paul Scholes criticises linesman for being 'too hasty'
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hits back at complaints over Bayern Munich's disallowed goal as he claims Nacho's strike should also have stood as Joshua Kimmich 'dived'
Agent Rio! Ferdinand jokes he discussed Man United job with Thomas Tuchel amid the Bayern manager's links to Old Trafford - and claims the German will have some 'big offers' when he leaves
Paul Scholes hails 'ridiculous' Jude Bellingham ... as Man United legend insists he can't help but 'admire him' after his outstanding breakthrough season for Real Madrid
'Respect the badge': Man United legend Rio Ferdinand avoids walking on Real Madrid crest at the Bernabeu ahead of Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich
Revealed: The dressing room collapse at Man United. Underachieving players are no longer listening to Erik ten Hag with his authority eroded

Bournemouth secured their highest ever top-flight finish of ninth this season
Eddie Howe's side pulled away from the relegation zone in the final few weeks
Josh King propelled his reputation by scoring 18 goals in all competitions

Published: 06:45 EDT, 22 May 2017 | Updated: 06:45 EDT, 22 May 2017

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Bournemouth enjoyed another positive season under Eddie Howe as they broke into the Premier League's top 10.

Eddie Howe's side recovered from a dismal run of form after the turn of the year to register a ninth place finish in the table.

Here Sportsmail look back at another season where the Cherries have exceeded expectations...

Bournemouth secured a top 10 finish after drawing away at Leicester on the final day

So, how did it go?

From almost becoming sucked into the relegation vortex at in the latter stages of the season, Eddie Howe secured a highest top-flight finish ever: ninth, joint on points with south coast counterparts Southampton.

Player of the season

Joshua King. The former Manchester United forward’s career was capitulating until Howe signed him. This season has seen a return of 18 goals in 41 appearances.

Best moment

The 4-3 win against Liverpool, trailing 3-1 in the 75th minute but scoring in the final 15 that included a 90th-minute Nathan Ake strike, halted Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who were steamrolling the rest of the league at that stage.

Lowest moment

Howe fielded a massively weakened team in the FA Cup against League One Millwall, but the 3-0 defeat started a run of six defeats in seven games that threatened their Premier League security.

How did the manager get on?

Howe continued to enhance his burgeoning reputation: an excellent return in the league with a bunch of players exceeding their individual ability.

What can they improve in the summer?

Their defence still reads like a list of local plumbers in the Yellow Pages: Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith.

Loan signing Nathan Ake really lifted what can at best be described as a solid unit until Chelsea recalled him in January.