ANDONI Iraola believes a draw was “quite fair” as Cherries began their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against West Ham United, adding: “We have to grow from here.”

Jarrod Bowen’s fine finish put Hammers ahead early in the second half, before Dominic Solanke earned his side a point with a late equaliser.

Reflecting on the result at Vitality Stadium, head coach Iraola said: “It was a point, we wanted three.

“I think they started better in the first half, they started better in the second half. In both halves I think we levelled first and then we were better at the end of both halves.

“Overall I think it was quite fair. We had more of the ball, but we were quite slow moving the ball, especially in the first half, we didn’t damage them through the wings until the subs.

“We have to take the point. It’s true that after tying, it looked like the momentum was for us, we wanted to win and with the atmosphere.

“I think we finished the game better than them. But it’s one point.”

For Iraola, this represented his first taste of Premier League football, after his summer switch from Rayo Vallecano.

Asked how close Cherries’ performance was to the vision he has for his team longer term, the Spaniard said: “Obviously I think we have to improve.

“This was the first game of the season. Max Aarons has trained one day with us, it was the debut in the Premier League for some other players, even for James Hill, he had to do it in a position that is not his.

“I think we have to grow from here. We have to improve from this starting point.

“We wanted to start with a win, in front of our fans, but we have to take the point.”

Discussing the atmosphere at Vitality Stadium, Iraola added: “I think it was really good, even when we were losing. People kept pushing.

“When we tied, it was a really nice atmosphere. The players from both teams were tired, but the game was more open at the end - I think it was better to watch.

“I felt with their help we could’ve won at the end.”