Manager Eddie Howe was quoted after the match as saying: "It was another good, professional performance and a big three points. I don't think we were at our best in the final third in the first half. We needed an extra pass before shooting and thankfully we got that in the second half with two goals of real quality. You need goals to stamp your authority and I back this team to score goals. The red card certainly helped us. I don't think the tackles were in any way malicious. I think they were just mistimed. We want to enjoy being top of the table but we've got to look to maintain our position".