EDDIE Howe insisted Asmir Begovic had “understood” the decision to leave him out of the starting XI against West Ham.

The Bosnian stopper was replaced by Artur Boruc, who kept a clean sheet as Cherries secured a 2-0 victory.

Begovic had played every minute in the Premier League since signing for the Dorset club from Chelsea for £10million in the summer of 2017, making 60 consecutive league starts.

And Howe described as the “ultimate professional” the former Stoke City keeper.

The Cherries boss said: “You tweak other positions in the team without really thinking about it at great length but the goalkeeper is one which is always analysed greatly.

“Asmir is the ultimate professional. He understood and very much supported Artur in his performance.”

Boruc’s previous top-flight start had come against Burnley in May 2017.

The game against the Hammers was his 450th appearance in club football. 

“I just felt Artur deserved to play,” said Howe. “His form has been very good.

"He has trained excellently and in our game against Chelsea, in the Carabao Cup, he was outstanding and made a number of good saves.”