Eddie Howe is proud of how far Bournemouth have come but knows there is work still to do to make sure they remain a Premier League team next season.

The Cherries were taken to the cleaners by a rampant Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday shipping four to the title-chasers marking the 12th time they have conceded three or more this season alone.

The writing was on the wall early as two goals in three first-half minutes effectively ended the game and threw Howe’s pre-match gameplan firmly out the window.

Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Tottenham vs Bournemouth player ratings Who impressed and who struggled at White Hart Lane? Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Hugo Lloris – 6 out of 10 The goalkeeper had a very quiet display today due to lack of Bournemouth action going forward. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Kyle Walker – 6 out of 10 Gave a desirable wide outlet for Spurs, but he tended too take a touch too many and lose possession at times. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Toby Alderweireld – 6 out of 10 It was a relatively straight forward afternoon for the centre back, helped by very little Bournemouth action going forward. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Jan Vertonghen – 6 out of 10 Made a number of crucial clearances and began moves from the back of the Spurs side, which was encouraging to see. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Ben Davies – 5 out of 10 Was wasteful in possession at times, but he managed to get away with it against a Bournemouth side that failed to utilise their possession. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Eric Dier – 6 out of 10 He tackled relentlessly and moved the ball well all afternoon. He had an eye for goal today also, but failed to find the back of the net. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Mousa Dembele – 8 out of 10 Scored his first goal of the season, which was fully deserved following a disciplined and comfortable performance. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Christian Eriksen – 8 out of 10 His deliveries into the box from open play, corners and free kicks provided constant pressure for the Bournemouth defence. Assisted Dembele’s opener. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Dele Alli – 7 out of 10 The youngster was a key element to almost every Spurs move. His ability to read the game allowed to the home side to break down the Bournemouth midfield with ease. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Heung-Min Son – 7 out of 10 He scored the second for Spurs and played emphatically for the remainder. He chased down loose balls, made tremendous off the ball runs and passed immaculately. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Harry Kane – 8 out of 10 His return to the starting line up ignited a tremendous display. He assisted Son’s goal and scored just minutes after the half time interval. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Artur Boruc – 6 out of 10 Despite letting in four goals, the keeper made a handful of important saves to stop this being a whitewash for Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Adam Smith – 5 out of 10 Cleared the danger on several occasions and tackled well at times, but he failed to maintain the energetic Spurs forwards. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Simon Francis – 3 out of 10 Failed to clear the danger numerous times and his tight marking technique proved hopeless for Kane’s goal. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Steve Cook – 4 out of 10 Made to look inadequate on several occasions today against the Spurs strikers – particularly for Son’s goal to double the scoring. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Charlie Daniels – 4 out of 10 Failed to provide any kind of positive influence on the game. Looked lost at times and continued to be dragged out of his position. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Junior Stanislas – 6 out of 10 His deliveries into the box proved problematic for Spurs and this should have been used a lot more for the visitors. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Harry Arter – 5 out of 10 Battled relentlessly throughout, but his efforts remain unrewarded. He gave it his all, but he failed to provide his strikers any service. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Jack Wilshire – 6 out of 10 He used possession well, despite being quickly closed down in the midfield. Subbed after the interval due to injury. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Marc Pugh – 5 out of 10 Lost possession inside of his own half on several occasions, which invited unnecessary pressure on the visitors. A man of his ability should be doing better on these momentous occasions. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Josh King – 6 out of 10 He held the ball up well when he was in possession, but aside from that he failed to make the impact that he has in recent fixtures. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Benik Afobe – 4 out of 10 Received no service from his side, but that is no excuse for his bizarrely quiet display today. Getty Images

“It was very difficult,” he admitted afterwards. “We did have a plan, we wanted to stay in the game, we wanted to make it difficult for them, frustrate them. That doesn’t happen when they score then two goals. Then it was a case of getting in at half time at two and trying something different to get back into the game.

“We did change things at half time but it was short lived because they scored straight after the break. From that moment really, as much as you want to chase the game and try and get something from it, it was tough to do that.”

The result leaves Howe’s side seven points and, more pressingly, just two places off the relegation zone. The faithful away support, who have watched their team rise from administration in the fourth tier all the way up to the top of the footballing pyramid in less than a decade, kept the faith until the very end and Howe is under no illusions that they deserve much better over the remainder of the season.

“They were fantastic to be cheering us and supporting us when we’re 4-0 down. It’s rare,” he added. “They acknowledge where we are as a club and the journey we’ve been on, and we really do appreciate that. Hopefully with the remaining games we can achieve our aims and stay in the Premier League for another year, which would be a great achievement.”