There is life in Bournemouth yet. For Eddie Howe this much-needed win was the perfect boost. At the final whistle he geed up the crowd and Bournemouth’s players crashed to the floor, exhausted and acutely aware of the significance of taking victory.

Callum Wilson found the net for the first time since September to secure a priceless three points after a fierce Harry Wilson strike and an own goal by Pascal Gross paved the way for a defiant victory. An alarming run of defeats meant it was vital for Howe to stop the rot here and now Graham Potter and Brighton, who take on an endangered West Ham this weekend, must find a way to arrest a similar slide.