By Will Burton

A dominant first half performance by AFC Bournemouth saw them beat Leeds United 4-1 at the Goldsands and climb to tenth position in the Sky Bet Championship.

Assistant manager Jason Tindall - who yesterday signed a contract extension along with boss Eddie Howe until June 2018 – described the performance as “fantastic”.

“We started the game incredibly well today and found ourselves three goals up quite early in the game.

“Our main objective was to start really fast and to put pressure on them. We were really clinical, once the opportunities arose we took them. t was a really good attacking display from us.”

In just the second minute of the match, former Leeds star Ian Harte floated a corner kick to the edge of the box and full-back Simon Francis’ volleyed effort was deflected in by Yann Kermorgant to give the Cherries an early lead.

It got worst for Leeds in the 18th minute when Francis’ cut back was slotted home by Lewis Grabban, doubling the home side’s advantage.

It was 3-0 inside the first half hour after Francis again wreaked havoc in the Leeds defence, beating three men before back-healing the ball into the path of Grabban.

The striker’s left foot shot slipped under the body of England International Jack Butland to give Grabban his 17th goal of the season and to ensure it was to be an unhappy return to The Goldsands for former captain Jason Pearce.

If the result wasn't over at half-time, it became a formality shortly after the restart when a Matt Richie cross was met by with power by Kermorgant who headed in to score his second of the game and his side's fourth.

Leeds did pull back a consolation goal through captain Ross McCormack in the 69th minute. It was just the second time Bournemouth goalkeeper Lee Camp has been beaten in the last seven games.

Cherries substitute Tokelo Rantie could have increased the score line further with two one-on-one chances but was denied both times by Butland.

“We like to entertain, pass the ball, create chances and score goals” said Tindall.

“When it all comes together we are a really good team to watch. I’m sure the fans will go home happy, they deserve to see that kind of performance against that kind of opposition.”

The win leaves the Cherries just seven points off the play-off places, however Tindall was non-committal about the Cherries’ chances of a top six finish, “our main aim from now until the end of the season is to win every game we play.

“We’re confident at the minute and are pleased with our performances but we are still taking one game at a time.

“If we can keep performing the way we are hopefully we can close the gap and come the end of the season, who knows.”

The Cherries next game is away to Birmingham on Saturday 29 March, kick-off 3pm.