SCOTT PARKER revealed that he asked his team to respond to an immense physical test from Cardiff City, saying: “Sometimes you’re going to have to stand up, to have that battle.”

Philip Billing’s solitary strike was enough to give Cherries a narrow 1-0 victory in the Welsh capital, against a side that looked to overload on bodies throughout.

Mick McCarthy’s starting XI featured nine players standing at six-foot or taller, with the likes of centre-back Aden Flint – who has scored four already this campaign – and Wales international Kieffer Moore offering a threat all over the pitch.

The game boiled over into on-pitch tussles right through, with the likes of Adam Smith among those who were booked for their roles in the handbags.

Cherries showed that they are not only capable of good football on the surface, but can hang with one of the most physically dominating teams in the English divisions.

Speaking after the contest, Parker said: “It’s a hugely important result.

“I thought today we looked superb to be honest with you, coming to a very difficult place where defensively the game they bring to you is something difficult, a very big side physically. Back-to-front with corners, they can cause you massive problems.

“I asked the players to stand up to that challenge and be brave in terms of our defensive line being high, being aggressive, second balk game, understand that dynamic.

“While then also wanting us to improve more on Tuesday night with the ball, having more control with the ball, I thought we did that again, I was very, very pleased, I thought for the large part we nullified them.

“Of course they come with pressure, long-throws into the box from nearly our halfway line. But I thought our boys were brave, so all in all very pleasing.”

Six bookings were handed out by the referee in total as the two sides clashed, but Parker says the nature of handling such a battle makes the three points even more rich.

He added: “It makes it very pleasing. We can’t take Cardiff on in the physical battle, taking them on at their own game today we’d have come out of here with no result and losing the game.

“We had to be clever, we had to work behind details, but at the same time, at times you’re going to have to stand up, you’re going to have to have that battle.

“Today, I thought that we did, as a team, at the back with the first contact, midfield with the second balls, and then the likes of Dominic Solanke’s off the ball game.”