The sky was the limit for Bournemouth going into this season after they recorded their highest league finish for 25 years in their first year back in the Championship under Eddie Howe in 2013-14.
Lewis Grabban's 22 league goals attracted the interest of recently-relegated Norwich City and the Cherries were forced to sell their top-scorer to a Championship rival.
They moved quickly to replace Grabban with the signing of Callum Wilson from Coventry City, one of just four new arrivals as Howe managed to keep together almost all of the squad that had done so well the season before.
As you'll see below, the South coast club got off to an indifferent start, but a blistering end to the year has seen them soar to the summit.
August
© Getty Images
The Cherries are on top at the end of the calendar year and they also led after the first game of the season following an impressive 4-0 win on the road at Huddersfield Town as Wilson netted a double on his debut.
They held onto top spot the following weekend by edging out Brentford, but they would win just one more game in the league before October.
Consecutive defeats at home to Nottingham Forest and on the road at Blackburn Rovers followed before a 1-1 draw at Norwich City, where Grabban opened the scoring against his former club but his replacement Wilson hit back. The month ended with Bournemouth falling to 11th at the first international break.
In the Capital One Cup, the Cherries eased into the third round without conceding in victories over League Two duo Exeter City and Northampton Town.
September
It looked as if Bournemouth would end their winless run at home to newly-promoted Rotherham United, but Jordan Bowery struck deep into stoppage time to deny them all three points. Then, after Andrew Surman's early opener gave them a half-time lead against Leeds, things again looked rosy.
© Getty Images
However, it would be disappointment at home once more for the Cherries as Leeds produced a rousing second-half fightback to win 3-1 at the Goldsands Stadium.
Another late goal denied them victory at Watford before they saw off Wigan Athletic 2-0.
Two more late strikes at Derby County saw the Cherries return to losing ways and going into October they were in the bottom half. While their league form stuttered, their progress continued in the League Cup as Cardiff were the latest to be beaten without scoring.
October
So, a disappointing month and a half since that league-leading start, but Bournemouth wouldn't lose again in 2014. October was the best month of the lot as they won all four league games and conceded just one goal.
It looked as if it would be two defeats in a row when Yann Kermorgant was sent off in the first half against Bolton Wanderers, but Wilson's double saw the Cherries win from an unlikely position.
Wilson would go on to have a huge month, scoring in all four games to win Player of the Month as Howe collected the managerial award. The former opened the scoring in the home wins over Charlton Athletic and Reading before netting just one on a memorable day at St Andrew's.
Brett Pitman put them ahead inside the opening five minutes before Birmingham had David Edgar sent off and Bournemouth ran riot with seven more goals. An 8-0 win was the Cherries' biggest ever league victory and took them up to fourth, just two points off the top.
© Getty Images
Their league form also inspired a victory over Premier League side West Bromwich Albion as they reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Wilson made it five goals in five October games with the late winner.
November
Bournemouth's games were becoming more entertaining by the week and they began November with two more victories - 3-2 over Brighton & Hove Albion and 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday to make it six in a row and reclaim top spot on goal difference.
The side level on points with them at that stage was Middlesbrough and that is whom they would face next at the Riverside. For just the second time in the first half of the campaign they failed to score, but managed to take a point back to the South coast.
Two home games followed, but neither was won as Bournemouth went on a three-game winless streak. First, fellow top-six side Ipswich Town hung on for a point in a 2-2 draw before struggling Millwall managed the same scoreline by fighting back from two down at the break.
The three straight draws left Bournemouth fourth in the table, but it was ever so tight at the top as just four points separated the top six.
December
It would be a great way to end the calendar year for the Cherries as they achieved their second 100% month of the season, with central midfielder Harry Arter finding the net in all five league games.
December did get off to a slightly fortunate start though, as Bournemouth were aided by a red card shown to Rajiv van la Parra at Wolverhampton Wanderers that would be rescinded but sparked a second-half comeback from the visitors.
They put five past Cardiff City in a barmy game the week after before the League Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool. Many expected the Cherries to give the Premier League giants a run for their money, but Howe made six changes to his favoured starting XI and it didn't pay off as the Reds ran out 3-1 winners.
© Getty Images
A top-versus-bottom match followed as Howe's men travelled to Blackpool and they quickly forgot about the Liverpool defeat with a convincing 6-1 win that demonstrated how vast the difference in quality between the two sides was.
A pair of 2-0 wins, over London duo Fulham and Millwall, ensured that the Cherries would end the year top of the pile, with Ipswich and Derby hot on their heels.
While many managers try to establish a solid base and build from the back, Howe's attacking philosophy is a breath of fresh air. His side play with such verve and given their lofty position, he may look to bring in some new defenders and midfielders in January to give the side a little more backbone for the run-in as they look to reach the top flight for the first time in their history.
Star man: Matt Ritchie
Must do better: Junior Stanislas
Where to strengthen in January: Defence
Position at start of 2015: 1st
Mid-season grade: A+
To see Bournemouth's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.
