Eddie Howe admits Bournemouth are entering uncharted territory after confirming their place at the top of the Sky Bet Championship on Christmas Day with a resounding 6-1 win at bottom side Blackpool.

The Cherries - beaten on Wednesday by Liverpool in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals - bounced back in superb fashion to make it 12 league games unbeaten, which in turn left Blackpool rooted 10 points adrift of safety.

Matt Ritchie scored in either half and Callum Wilson also helped himself to his 11th league goal of the campaign in the first period.

Nathan Delfouneso did grab a consolation for Blackpool on 65 minutes but Brett Pitman, from the penalty spot, Marc Pugh and Harry Arter goals ensured a comfortable afternoon for the visitors.

''We don't want to get too carried away with what we can achieve at the end of the season,'' said Bournemouth boss Howe, whose side have never played in the top flight in their 124-year history.

''We just keep ticking along for the minute. This is uncharted territory for us as a club. Let's just enjoy the moment and see where it can take us.

''The win was right up there as our best performance. I think it's even more impressive when you consider the pitch. When we got here we were disappointed with the state of it and thought this was going to be a difficult afternoon.

''We haven't always been that ruthless. That's hopefully another side of our game being developed. There have been times where we've been in total control and haven't really put teams to bed. A couple of times now we've given teams heavy defeats and hopefully there's more to come.

''We're delighted with where we are but there are big tests to come.''

By contrast the result ended Blackpool's own unbeaten run of four games, and manager Lee Clark offered an apology to their suffering fans.

''It just was a horrendous day for everybody,'' he said. ''Firstly I'd like to apologise to the supporters for the result and performance. Hopefully they will stick with us and keep giving us their terrific support.

''We knew it would be a tough ask but we've been resolute and strong in the last four games, shown a lot of quality and spirit.

''Things have been said but this group of players have worked unbelievably hard and it could be quite easy for me to go in there and rant and rave and knock the confidence which would not be beneficial for anybody.

''I'm angry, disappointed, embarrassed, upset; all those and I think the players are as well so we've got to do the right things with them.

''Even before last week I said Bournemouth were the best team in the league. They are a talented squad of players and they've got some terrific individuals.''