Bournemouth ended their pre-season campaign in style by beating Europa League finalists', Marseille, 5-2 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
First-half goals from Josh King, who scored twice, and Ryan Fraser, put The Cherries in a secure lead and strikes from Adam Smith and Callum Wilson in the second period put them well out of reach.
Marseille struck two consolation goals courtesy of Valere Germain and Remy Cabella, but the game was long gone.
The breakthrough couldn't have come any sooner then it did, as Fraser volleyed home at the back post just 13 seconds after the referee blew his whistle for the start of Bournemouth's last pre-season fixture.
Just under 25 minutes later, striker King got onto the end of a lovely move from the home side, who finished first time from a Fraser whipped ball in.
The 26-year-old got his second of the match 10 minutes later after slotting home coolly from a David Brooks pass.
Asmir Begovic - who will be embarking on his second season at the club - was called into action two minutes later with former West Ham forward Dmitri Payet trying his luck from range, but the goalkeeper dealt with it.
After a blemish-free first-half, The Cherries enhanced their lead further with Smith putting them 4-0 up just two minutes into the second period.
Things got even better for Howe, who was looking on calmly from the sidelines, as Wilson made it an impressive five on the 50 minute mark.
The Ligue 1 side got two consolation goals - one coming from Germain 26 minutes from time and the other from Cabella, who struck a 25-yard rocket two minutes from the final whistle - but their defeat was firmly sealed already.
This was Bournemouth's last of their six pre-season fixtures, which has seen them win two, draw two and lose three.
Exactly a week today, they will face Cardiff City in their opening Premier League game at the Vitality Stadium.