BOSS Andoni Iraola praised his depleted squad for showing their adaptability to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion, insisting: “They have been really resilient.”

Cherries were down to the bare bones for their home clash with the Seagulls on Sunday, a total of nine first team options unavailable due to injury, illness or suspension.

Illia Zabarnyi, Philip Billing and Milos Kerkez joined the list of absentees from the midweek win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Luis Sinisterra, Marcus Tavernier, Tyler Adams, Romain Faivre, Ryan Fredericks and Chris Mepham also all still out.

That meant Iraola did not name a full bench of substitutes for the clash with the Seagulls. Two were goalkeepers, while four of the eight were academy players who had never played in the Premier League, in Callan McKenna, Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, Max Kinsey and Dominic Sadi, the latter being introduced in the closing minutes on Sunday.

“We were already thin, even against Wolves,” Iraola told the Daily Echo.

“We were not with the strongest bench that we have had in other games.

“(On Saturday) we lost Philip Billing and then Zaba had a fever and wasn’t feeling well. He had no chance to play.

“But I am happy because everyone has adapted really well.

“We started with two nines for the first time, Dango (Ouattara) playing again left-back and even the sub Max (Aarons) playing as a right winger.

“I think everyone has helped us a lot. I am really happy, because they have been really resilient.”

Cherries led 1-0 at half-time, through a Marcos Senesi header, before goals after the break from Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert sealed the 3-0 success.

“I think we had very clear chances,” said Iraola.

“They had more time on the ball, but we were the ones creating the chances, especially we had a couple of clear ones at 1-0 with Enes or Justin.

“You think we have to kill the game with these kind of chances.

“But I am happy, because both scored also.

“Enes scored the second and Justin scored the third one. I am happy for them also.”