The Cherries defeated the Toffees thanks to second half goals from substitutes Philip Billing and Daniel Adu-Adjei, either side of a Dango Ouattara strike.

The first half saw Everton have the better of the chances in an even game, but after bringing on reinforcements through the second half, the Cherries asserted their control and won comfortably.

Speaking to NBC after the game, Iraola said on his team’s second half performance: “I think we improved a lot.

“I think in the first half we were a lot slower moving the ball, and I think especially with the subs we had another rhythm and I think we did a really good second 45 minutes.”

A theme of last season, particularly in the first half of the campaign and into the team’s record-breaking 11-game unbeaten run, was substitutes making an impact and scoring key goals.

Asked about the role the bench plays for his team, Iraola explained: “For us, substitutions are key.

“I always say the players, the way we want to play, we have to play a high rhythm, so the other team also feels the legs, especially now in pre-season and the ones coming from the bench, even if they think they are not playing too many minutes, at the end, a lot of times they are the ones making the difference.”

Iraola was impressed with Billing’s performance off the bench, the Dane returning to Bournemouth after spending the second half of last season on loan at Napoli.

“I think he was very good,” the boss said.

“He's trained very well also in pre-season.

“I think even if not playing as many minutes, you have to consider he won the Serie A for Napoli. This is a big achievement and I'm happy to have him again with the team.”

Iraola wants his side to build momentum and intensity through the Summer Series, with games against Manchester United and West Ham to come.

“Sometimes it's difficult because we are starting to build, especially physically,” Iraola said.

“We are training a lot, so probably you don't arrive with the freshest of the legs.

“But considering the way we want to play, we definitely have to push ourselves and try to increase the demands physically and also technically.”

Up next for the Cherries is their game against United, in the early hours of Thursday morning, UK time, before facing the Hammers next weekend.