ANDONI Iraola described the 5-0 victory over Swansea City as “the game we needed” as he equalled his biggest ever win as a manager.

Goals in a rampant first half from Lloyd Kelly, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, David Brooks and Dominic Solanke moved Cherries into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Iraola has only ever won by a five-goal margin as a boss once before, with AEK Larnaca against Sturm Graz in the Europa League, way back in August 2018.

Asked if he could recall his previous 5-0 win, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I don’t remember. I’ve gone 5-0 before, yes?

“Ah Europa League, we won against Sturm Graz, thank you very much! I should know.

“But I don’t think that was the first half, that was towards the end of the game.

“But it was a really nice one for us also.

“At half-time, I don’t remember being 5-0 up.

“It is something the players deserved, but also in the second half we respected the game, we respected the opposition and we went to keep the same intensity level.

“It is true we haven’t been so clinical, we have missed some chances, but we have continued and finished the game quite well.”

Cherries have had three previous cup contests against Championship opposition this season, failing to score in the first half of any.

But this time they raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

“We talked a lot before the game about how we needed to improve our starts a little bit in this competition,” said Iraola.

“Also we were coming from a difficult second half against Liverpool and we wanted to start strong, to win the game and do it in the way we’ve done it.

“Now it looks easy, but it is never easy and I think it is the game we needed in this moment.”

He added: “I think everyone was really good.

“To finish 5-0 at the break, everyone has to win his duels, do their tactical job and I think we were really good today, also in the second half.

“We haven’t scored the goals in the second half, but the game has gone the same way.

“I’m really happy because Brooksy scored, Alex scored, Lloydy scored from a set-piece, and Dom and Sini, who normally score more goals. Especially with the other three, I am happy.”