ASMIR Begovic hopes “improving” Cherries can bridge the gap on the Premier League’s big guns.

Cherries’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end when late goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard saw Chelsea run out 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge 12 days ago.

Begovic’s former club, along with Liverpool and Watford, have all won their first four games, while Cherries are sixth ahead of the visit of Leicester tomorrow (3pm).

Goalkeeper Begovic told the Daily Echo: “Overall, as a team, we are growing and maturing. It is a positive start.

“It is the best start we have had since we have been in the Premier League so, for us, that is a positive.

“We are moving in the right direction and have a big game against Leicester which we want to go into positively and, hopefully, get some more points.

“The team is great and we have really good strength in depth. We had some really good additions over the summer and I think we are improving as individuals.”

Asked how Jefferson Lerma and Diego Rico were settling in, Begovic said: “They are quick learners and the language barrier probably happens quicker on the pitch than off it.

“They are really good guys. They have adapted as well as can be expected after a month or so. They have improved the squad which is the main thing.”