Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola reckons he knew his side were going to face a tough challenge against Sean Dyche’s men but he was always convinced their pressure would bring them a match-winner after his team defeated Everton 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

The Basque tactician said: “I think we really deserved this one. We were controlling the game since the beginning.

“We knew against Everton it’s difficult to score because they have a good keeper, good centre-backs. Even if you push them, they can take a bit of pressure and are a good, defensive team.

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“We had the patience; we probably should have scored earlier but it didn’t happen until the end. I think everyone watching the game was feeling that the goal was coming.”

Iraola added: “I told the players that we were playing very well. It’s difficult because they were killing all the rhythm of the game, stopping it a lot, and we wanted to play faster and a more dynamic game.

“Even if the game was stop and go, I think we still had many clear chances in the first half. We just had to continue putting pressure on them, it was a matter of them running out of legs and not arriving to every challenge.

“I felt that we were controlling the game more than Crystal Palace (the goalless draw in Bournemouth’s previous home fixture) and putting more pressure on the opposition. I felt like the goal was coming, I was feeling ok, we were playing well.”

The only goal of the game came 13 minutes from full-time from substitute David Brooks and the nature of the strike pleased the 42-year-old boss. He said: “It was a lovely goal. When you think how we found the space for Milos (Kerkez) to put the cross in, the composure of (David) Brooks with the striking of the ball, I think everyone sees the goal and thinks he should put the ball exactly where he puts it.

“He also had another, very similar chance straight away and almost scored another one. I’m happy for all this.”

Bournemouth – who are now unbeaten in eight Premier League home games against Everton – have also gone a club record eight consecutive matches unbeaten in the competition following their latest success. Asked about the landmark, Iraola said: “I don’t play, the important ones are those on the pitch. I’m happy because it’s not easy to go on an eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

“It has cost us some injuries on the way, but the return of the points is very valuable. Now we are playing four teams who are ahead of us in the top five, it’s going to be more difficult to keep the run going, but at least we want to keep the performance level that gives us chances against anyone.”