ON THIS DAY: Harry Arter's stunner helps AFC Bournemouth leapfrog Middlesbrough in Championship title race

BOSS Eddie Howe saw Cherries ruthlessly dismantle promotion rivals Middlesbrough before hailing their emphatic victory a “real achievement”.

Penalties from Yann Kermorgant and Brett Pitman, coupled with Harry Arter’s stunning strike, earned Cherries a 3-0 win as they returned to the Championship summit.

Asked whether he felt it had been their best display of the season, Howe replied: “Definitely, especially when you consider who we were playing."

Cherries: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Ritchie (Smith, 65), Arter, Surman, Pugh, Wilson (Rantie, 90), Kermorgant (Pitman, 61).

Unused subs: Ward, MacDonald, Fraser, Camp (g/k).

Booked: Arter.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Nsue (Forshaw, 55), Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Clayton (Kike, 55), Leadbitter (Whitehead, 79), Tomlin, Reach, Bamford.

Unused subs: Omeruo, Wildschut, Vossen, Ripley (g/k).

Booked: Clayton, Nsue.

Referee: Anthony Tayor (Cheshire).

Attendance: 10,998 (inc. 1,345 away fans).