GARY O’Neil was left pleased with his side’s performance despite defeat at Everton, insisting: “I thought we were the better side.”

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fierce half-volley proved the difference early in the second half as the Toffees ran out 1-0 victors at Goodison Park.

The game was played in a ferocious atmosphere, with the home crowd whipping up a frenzy to push their side over the line to secure the victory they needed to secure their Premier League status.

Asked for his assessment of Cherries’ performance, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought we were the better side. I thought we had control for the most part.

“There’s still lots there that we need to progress on, but we knew what we were coming in to.

“A tough atmosphere, a direct team and we’ve struggled with playing against direct teams this season. I thought the lads stood up to it very, very well.

“We maybe didn’t create enough from the situations that we had, although we created a couple of really good ones.

“I’m excited that we’ve got to a point where we can come here and perform like that, under tough conditions, tough pressure.

“Have loads of the ball, controlled with it. We maybe got a little bit too desperate towards the end, we started chucking things forward slightly early and suffered a couple of counter-attacks.

“There was a lot there that I like, a team that I feel represented what I stand for - stood up to the physical battle, showed bravery and calmness with the ball.

“I was disappointed that we couldn’t score a goal. I always thought we’d get one. I thought we looked dangerous enough to score.”

Despite their 62 per cent possession, Cherries recorded just two shots on target, coming closest to scoring when substitute Matias Vina saw his shot parried away by Jordan Pickford in second-half stoppage time.

Discussing the atmosphere at Goodison Park, O’Neil said: “It was enjoyable. I thought the lads handled it very well.

“I thought we stood up to Everton’s direct play, showed real good control and calmness and quality with the ball.

“It was what I expected it to be and I thought the lads coped with it very well.”

Cherries finish the season in 15th place in the Premier League, with 39 points from their 38 matches.

They netted 37 goals and conceded 71, with only Leeds United (78) and Southampton (73) seeing more goals go in against them.

O’Neil’s men suffered defeat in each of their final four fixtures of the season.