JAIDON Anthony insists Cherries "relish" the type of physical battle which emerged against Swansea City, adding: "We're not pushovers."

Cherries were on the back foot against the Swans during the opening 20 minutes at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Against the run of play, Dominic Solanke broke the deadlock, with the striker going on to net again before Anthony himself bagged a brace in a resounding 4-0 victory.

The first half saw a number of flashpoints with players and coaching staff involved in arguments with each other and the officials.

Referee Tony Harrington eventually showed five yellow cards throughout the afternoon.

Swans boss Russell Martin was enraged Cherries' opener was allowed to stand, berating the match officials for not calling it offside.

A couple of minutes later, a scuffle broke out between most players from both sides as Philip Billing and Flynn Downes squared up. Even Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers and, bizarrely, head coach Scott Parker got involved to try and break things up around the halfway line.

Soon after, Ryan Bennett was shown a yellow for cynically blocking off Anthony, before Solanke was then booked for colliding with Ryan Manning off the ball.

Swans midfielder Olivier Ntcham was cautioned early in the second half for a wild challenge on Leif Davis near the dugouts, before the game settled down as Cherries eased to victory.

Discussing the fiery nature of the affair, 21-year-old Anthony told the Daily Echo: "Obviously two teams want to win and that’s football at the end of the day.

"It gets feisty sometimes. We relish that side of the game and just really try to show we’re not pushovers and we’re here to put up a fight really."

Asked about Parker coming onto the field to try and separate players, Anthony laughed and added: "I think he was just trying to calm everyone down!

"That’s what you need in those moments, just a cool head and not do anything silly really."

On the win, he continued: "Swansea are a top side and they made us work into the game really. We knew we’d have points in the game we’d struggle and we just had to ride the storm.

"Once we’d got out of that, we could show what we could do really."

Anthony now has four goals for the campaign in his first season as a regular starter in professional football.

The former Arsenal youngster headed in just past the hour mark against Swansea before slotting home having been teed up by Jamal Lowe deep into stoppage time.

His tally for the season is now one greater than good friend and housemate Jordan Zemura, although Anthony insists there is no competition for goals between the two.

"No, not really to be honest! He’s a left-back that scores a lot of goals," said Anthony.

"I’m just happy that he’s doing so well and I can chip in as well. It’s just nice that we’re winning games really.

"Obviously it’s my first full season getting involved. I’m just happy to be out there.

"If I can chip in with goals and assists then that’s a bonus really."