BOSS Eddie Howe believes Cherries’ brand of possession football is playing its part in forcing match-defining errors from their Championship rivals.

Cherries went top of the league having picked off 10-man Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 last night thanks to goals from Andrew Surman and substitute Ryan Fraser.

Both strikes came within eight minutes of Owls winger Royston Drenthe being dismissed for a second bookable offence with Howe acknowledging the decision had been “slightly harsh”.

The Cherries manager did say both Drenthe challenges may have warranted yellow cards “to the letter of the law”, but admitted the call had helped to prise open a stubborn Wednesday backline that had boasted the joint-best defensive record in the second tier prior to kick-off.

It came 10 days after Birmingham City defender David Edgar’s seventh-minute dismissal preceded Cherries’ 8-0 annihilation of the Blues at St Andrew’s with Howe hailing his side’s ability to draw mistakes through their persistent passing.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think the red card helped us.

“We have seen in the past that having a numerical advantage benefits us and maybe those spaces wouldn’t have been there if it was 11 against 11.

“But I think in some senses our dominance with the ball creates those red cards and frustration in the opposition because we stop them having enough possession.

“I think we have to compliment the players on another professional performance and another big three points.”

Howe’s men took over at the summit courtesy of a sixth straight victory and third away win on the trot in the second tier for the first time in club history.

But despite their lofty position, Howe refused to get carried away.

“We are not singing from the roof tops which is a good thing,” added Howe.

“We have been there before this season, albeit after only two games and it didn’t last for very long.

“From our perspective we want to enjoy it but also try to maintain the position.

“It is going to be very difficult when you consider we go to Middlesbrough next who are a very good side and the games beyond that are going to be tough.

"But we are playing with so much confidence at the moment and the players really believe in themselves so why can’t we carry this on for a little while longer?"

On Drenthe’s dismissal, Howe said: “It was slightly harsh.

“I think to the letter of the law that they were probably yellow cards and the referee has to follow the rules but I don’t think that they were in any way malicious, just probably mistimed.”

Howe continued: “We had a few chances in the first half and seemed to rush them, we seemed to be too eager to score.

“In the first two-thirds of the pitch I thought we passed the ball really well and I was pleased with that part of our game.

“I just thought we needed an extra pass before shooting, that bit more composure in our final action but thankfully we got that in the second half with the two goals which were real moments of quality.

“When you’re so dominant with the ball and you feel like you’re in control of the game you do need the goals to stamp your authority.

“We needed to be clinical and in the first half we were not quite at our best in the final third but I certainly back this team to score goals.

“With the attacking quality we have, you always feel it is a matter of time before we will score.

"We are playing with so much confidence at the moment and the players really believe in themselves so why can’t we carry this on for a little while longer?"