ANDONI Iraola felt Cherries’ biggest defensive flaw during their 3-1 defeat to Fulham was their inability to deal with crosses.

Cherries were downed by a Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Rodrigo Muniz brace in the capital, Marcos Senesi’s fine strike at the start of the second half proving scant consolation.

Fulham frequently found joy down Cherries’ right-hand flank, with one of either Willian, Antonee Robinson, or Tom Cairney often unmarked.

That led to three good chances for the hosts, Robinson’s cross-cum-shot causing chaos in the box, before Cherries keeper Neto denied Willian and then Robinson one-on-one inside the box after incisive moves down Fulham’s left-wing.

The ease in which Fulham slipped through Cherries led to an inquest between Neto, Adam Smith, and Marcus Tavernier just before the break, the trio gesticulating to find a solution.

However, Iraola felt that Cherries’ biggest issue was not dealing properly crosses into the box.

Fulham’s second and third goals stemmed from balls flung into the area from out wide, Willian’s cross nodded down to Muniz to finish in the first half before the Brazilian found the striker directly with a pass from the wing in the second.

Iraola told the Daily Echo: “We knew from the beginning probably the most offensive defender they have is Robinson.

“He's a very good athlete.

“And if you just leave the one against ones with the runs, probably he is going to be faster than everyone because he's very good, we can see all the games.

“But I think the second and third goal are the ones that we can blame us.

“They weren't coming from there (Fulham’s left-wing).

“I think there were crosses that we have to deal with much better.”

Cherries return to action next weekend, when they travel north to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United on Saturday, February 17 (3pm).