HEAD coach Scott Parker admitted he “forgot where I was” when entering the pitch to break up a skirmish against Swansea and added: “I wanted to just protect everyone.”

The former England midfielder attempted to separate bodies after a first-half altercation between Philip Billing and Flynn Downes at Vitality Stadium.

Asked about the incident, Parker told the Daily Echo: “I forgot where I was to be honest with you! I wanted to just protect everyone at that moment.

“I know what it’s like being on there. Sometimes you lose… everyone’s on it and yeah, it was silly of me but I just wanted to go in and separate the players from any of them doing something stupid.”

Billing and Downes were both brandished with bookings by referee Tony Harrington but, in general, Parker was pleased to see his charges stand up to the feisty nature of the contest.

“I love that, though. I loved every bit of the passion we showed,” Parker added.

“We stood up to the battle and stood up to the fight – which came while not crossing the line.

“That’s a constant message for my players.

“My players understand what I want from them every week and that is to be right on that line and protect themselves, while never going over the line. I was pleased with that.”

Braces from Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony earned Cherries a resounding 4-0 victory over Russell Martin’s Swans.

The Dorset club are two points clear of Fulham at the top of the Championship.