BOSS Eddie Howe labelled Sam Surridge’s first Cherries goal “typical” of the striker – as he fully announced himself on the Vitality Stadium stage against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Surridge came off the bench to fire what proved to be a consolation in a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners.

And despite his side exiting the competition, Howe insists the 21-year-old opening his account for his boyhood club would give him a huge boost.

Howe said: “I think it will do a lot for him. He’s a goalscorer.

“He always has scored goals in youth teams, development squad, gone out on loan and done really well and that was a typical Sam goal - just in the right place at the right time so I’m delighted for him.”

Former Parley First pupil Surridge provided a finishing touch for what was an improved second-half display from the hosts.

Arsenal struck twice in the opening half however, with goals coming from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.

Speaking about the game as a whole, manager Howe added: “The start was hugely disappointing.

“I think maybe the early goal rocked us psychologically, I don’t know.

“But we really struggled to deal with Arsenal in the opening half an hour.

“They moved the ball well but we were too far off. We struggled in our duels, we didn’t win enough tackles, all the basics really. It wasn’t anything more than that.

“Once we recovered, I thought we were fine and the better team in the second half, but it was too late.”

Defeat meant Cherries missed out on a trip to League One Portsmouth in the fifth round.

Asked whether going out of the cup was a blessing in disguise, given the club’s fight to avoid Premier League relegation, Howe said: “I don’t look at it like that, I want to win every game.

“I’m very, very disappointed. I can never have that mentality.

“I think once that sinks into whatever competition you’re in, it’s not the right way to think. We’re here to win and we’re disappointed.”