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Junior Stanislas superb as Bournemouth thrash Hull 6-1

It's safe to say this was Bournemouth's best-ever performance in the Premier League. From front to back everything was in sync and Eddie Howe's side looked like a team that belonged at the top end of the table. If this sort of form continues it won't be long before we see the Cherries potentially knocking on the European places.

Positives

Despite conceding a goal, the back four still had their best game of the season and it finally looks like Howe's settled on his best team. Junior Stanislas' set-piece delivery has always been decent but today we saw just how much of a weapon it really is when he gets in a groove. Seeing Callum Wilson among the scorers was also a plus point.

Negatives

Failing to keep a clean sheet is the only negative from Saturday's performance.

Manager

10 -- Howe seems to have finally found his best XI and there can be no complaints on his part. It's the first time the Cherries have scored six in the Premier League and if it wasn't for a really unlucky deflection it would have been a clean sheet as well.

Player ratings: (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Artur Boruc, 7 -- Bournemouth's goalkeeper had little to do, in fairness, but he was reliable when he was called into action. His distribution was a little off in the first half but besides from that there were no complaints.

DF Adam Smith, 9 -- Finally showed signs of defensive improvement and his positioning was far better. Made a couple of crucial interceptions while continuing with his usual attacking threat by assisting the fourth goal. Decent performance.

DF Simon Francis, 9 -- Did everything asked of him and it was a great performance from Bournemouth's captain. He was dominant in the air and made no silly mistakes for which he is sometimes susceptible.

DF Steve Cook, 8 -- Unfortunately deflected Hull's opening goal into his own net but made amends with a goal of his own just before half time. Besides from that momentary lapse in the first half he was defensively sound.

DF Charlie Daniels, 8 -- Alive to the rebound off Stanislas' first free kick and coolly finished for the opening goal. Daniels was also better defensively but had little to deal with, really.

MF Jordon Ibe, 7 -- Heavily involved in nearly all Bournemouth's attacks with his tricky feet causing problems. His final ball was typically poor -- again -- but the cross along the deck to find Wilson in the 25th minute was exactly what he needs to do more often.

MF Andrew Surman, 9 -- Pulled the strings in the middle of the pitch and picked his passes to perfection. Surman was calm and collected throughout, doing all the dirty work which usually goes unnoticed.

MF Harry Arter, 8 -- His passing was a wayward at times but he made up for that with his constant running and decent tackling. Another solid game from the midfielder.

MF Jack Wilshere, 7 -- Struggled to get properly involved in the game but Wilshere did show flashes of pure brilliance. His chest control in the 28th minute was superb, proof that he is definitely the most technically gifted player the Cherries have at their disposal.

MF Junior Stanislas, 10 -- Assisted the first two goals with a couple of sublime free kick deliveries, scored Bournemouth's third from the spot and then added the fourth in the second half. His powerful runs down the flank threatened and he also put a solid shift in defensively. Outstanding performance.

FW Callum Wilson, 9 -- The striker was a real nuisance up front and worked tremendously hard running the channels. He hit the crossbar with one effort and also won the penalty before finally finding the net late on.

Substitutes

FW Josh King, 7 -- Came on for Ibe in the second half and continued with his electric running down the flank.

MF Dan Gosling, NR -- Arrived late for Wilshere but still managed to score. A decent finish to cap off Bournemouth's rampant display.

FW Benik Afobe, NR -- Late sub for Wilson but worked hard in the few minutes he was on the pitch.