Read Eddie Howe's pre-Bournemouth programme notes

This afternoon we welcome Andoni Iraola and his AFC Bournemouth squad to St. James’ Park for the third round of the FA Cup. Andoni’s teams are always extremely well coached, and we know from recent matches against them just how dangerous they can be.

So today is a really tough test against a club I have so much history with, in a competition we are very keen to progress in.

We approach this match off the back off three consecutive Premier League wins which have pushed us up the table and given us momentum. Our match against Leeds United on Wednesday will certainly live long in the memory for many reasons.

We started the well enough and had some early chances to take the lead, but found ourselves a goal down against a team who have been in excellent form.

We stayed calm and found an immediate way back into the game when Harvey Barnes equalised just four minutes later. It felt like this would be the catalyst for us, but with almost the last kick of the first half, Leeds scored from the penalty spot which was against the run of play and a huge blow. The players deserve huge credit for their response to this setback, and they started the second half on the front foot which led to an equaliser from Joelinton.

We pushed for a winning goal but with just ten minutes remaining we were dealt another blow when Leeds went ahead for the third time. It would have been easy for our players to go under at this point, but a hallmark of our recent success has been the strength and character of our dressing room, and what then followed was a great example of this. We stayed on the front foot, earned a penalty and Bruno Guimarães levelled on 90 minutes.

With nine minutes of time added, you all raised the roof off St. James’ Park and the players responded. We created chance after chance and just when it looked like we’d run out of time, Harvey put the ball in the back of the net with what was virtually the last kick of the game to secure all three points and cap a memorable night.

We are honest enough to know it wasn’t our best technical performance, but what it did show was how together we are as a squad, and a club. That togetherness will be an essential ingredient if we are to achieve anything this season, and without your incredible support, there is no way we would have found a way to beat Leeds.

Celebrating with you after the game was a special moment, and the win was the best way to say thank you.

Eddie Howe