Bournemouth 2016/17 Premier League season review

Image: Eddie Howe kept Bournemouth in the Premier League for a second season

Bournemouth enjoyed another successful campaign under Eddie Howe.

Read our review of Bournemouth's 2016/17 Premier League season with expert analysis.

Finishing position: 9th (+7)
Total points: 46 (+4)
FA Cup: Third round
EFL Cup: Third round
Top scorer: Josh King

Eddie Howe says Jack Wilshere will return to Arsenal following his loan spell

Season review

What could have been a difficult second season for Eddie Howe's Bournemouth went smoothly enough with the Cherries matching last season's points tally with two games to spare on the way to achieving their best ever league finish.

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Not all of the summer signings came off and Howe had to wait for mid-March for his first win of 2017 but ultimately it's a campaign that will be remembered for the highs of a 6-1 win over Hull and, yes, that 4-3 turnaround triumph over Liverpool in early December.

Ryan Fraser was the catalyst for that comeback with the Scot one of a host of players to enhance their reputations. None more so than Josh King, however. The Norwegian netted 15 Premier League goals - something for player and club to build on in an exciting future.

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Image: Josh King's goals have been a huge asset to Bournemouth this season

EXPERT ANALYSIS - MATT LE TISSIER

Managerial review

Eddie Howe continues to do a cracking job, improving on last season's points tally. There's work to be done in the defensive areas, so you'd expect some movement in that department in the summer.

I'd imagine a top-half finish would be the next target for them.
Matt Le Tissier

Player of the year: Josh King

Josh King without question, probably one of the easiest ones in the Premier League. Certainly the goals in the second half of the season have caught the eye and I wouldn't be surprised if some other sides come calling for him. He's scored more goals since Christmas than in the rest of his career, which is remarkable at 25.

2017/18 prospects

I'd imagine another top-half finish would be the next target for them after a couple of seasons in the Premier League. If they want to improve again next season then that's where they need to step up, but they have enough goals in them to steer clear of relegation.

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