ANDONI Iraola believed strikers Dominic Solanke and Enes Unal “worked” together up top during AFC Bournemouth’s 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Unal grabbed his second goal in Cherries colours as Cherries eased past the Seagulls, with Iraola deploying two strikers from the off for the first time since taking over in the summer.

Solanke did play slightly lower than the Turkish international, operating in a deeper role more akin to the number 10 position tasked with Justin Kluivert and Alex Scott, among other names.

Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Without the ball, Dom was a little bit deeper, to help us on the press, because I think he is very integrated in the way we press.

“But after, on the ball, they both had freedom to combine movements, attack spaces, come to receive.

“Even with Justin and Antoine, we had kind of a top four there.

“We knew they had to defend a lot, more than they are used to doing in other games.

“But if they are defending well, they would also have the chances. I am happy because they had them.”

Asked whether the decision stemmed from a plan to stop Brighton or just merely based on players available, Iraola explained: “It was a matter of 50:50 I would say.

“It was also that Ryan (Christie) was finishing the games very tired. I think he needed some rest and Alex (Scott) performed really well against Wolves, and also today he has done a very good job playing as an eight.

“It was nice also to have a sub like Ryan, you can put him on in the second half and know that he will give 100 per cent of energy and a lot of new fuel for the team.

“It worked.”