The boss thought it was set to be ‘one of those days’ and Bournemouth would come to rue their missed opportunities as they led Tottenham 1-0 – but the side held firm and collected all three points.
The [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) hit the post through Ryan Christie and saw a number of presentable chances go high and wide, as well as having two goals disallowed for offsides.
But Dean Huijsen’s fantastic first half header from a corner was to be the difference, as Bournemouth moved above their visitors into ninth in the Premier League.
* [Huijsen's header hands the Cherries all three points over Spurs](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/24775933.afc-bournemouth-beat-tottenham-hotspur-thanks-huijsen-header/)
Speaking to the media after the game, Iraola said: “We hit the post and I was thinking it's going to be another of these ones, but it hasn't.
“I think we've finished it quite well.”
On the game as a whole, the Basque boss said: “I think it has been a very good win. I think I liked especially the second half. First half, I think we were playing decently.
“We were not conceding chances against the Spurs, but probably we were not being a threat as we've been in the second one.
“Now, we will not regret because we finished winning, but probably when we started missing the chances in the second half, it was a dangerous moment, but luckily for us, we could finish the job.”
It was a fantastic defensive performance from the Bournemouth side.
Besides stalwart Adam Smith, Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez are 19, 22 and 21 – but the young Cherries defence dealt with the Spurs attack very well, limiting their chances throughout the 90 minutes.
Huijsen, in particular, was excellent and was deservedly man of the match, both for his goal and defensive performance.
Asked if he felt it was their best defensive performance of the season, Iraola said: “I think we've been good, especially considering the opposition because it's a team that scores goals for fun.
“They don't need to be very good to score.
“Second half, they put Son, they put Werner, players with top talent, you know, and they can create from nothing.
“I think we've been very focused. Not only the keeper or the defenders; all the team, quite disciplined.
“We've talked before the game that probably today was not the day to impose the high rhythm because I think they can deal very well with all the open games because they have very good legs.
“We had to be a little bit more disciplined, taking care of the small details. And I think we've done it.”