Monday 27 November 2017 21:06, UK
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admits their 0-0 draw at Swansea was not a game for the purists but it was a fair result overall.
The Cherries kept a clean sheet for the third successive Premier League game for the first time to move up to 12th in the table, but Swansea enjoyed the better chances with Leroy Fer missing the game's best chance late on.
Howe admitted his side were far from their best during a game of few clear-cut chances.
The Cherries boss said: "It was a game of few chances. It was scrappy, and certainly wasn't one for the purist. We're just pleased that we came through it unscathed.
"We kept another clean sheet and we're becoming harder to beat but it wasn't a great game.
"It's hugely important [to keep a clean sheet]. Last season we were scoring goals for fun, but conceding at a rate so it was important we did something to try to improve it.
"That's very difficult in the Premier League when there are sides with potency and players who can hurt you. So three clean sheets in a row is a fine achievement.
"Individually, the players have to take huge credit, they've been working hard on the training field. We've looked tighter this season. There's room for improvement in our attacking play. Neither side played with any rhythm."
Swansea manager Paul Clement was left seething at referee Stuart Attwell after he believed his side were denied a perfectly good goal in first-half stoppage time.
Jordan Ayew was penalised for a foul on Nathan Ake before the ball was laid off for Wilfried Bony to fire past Asmir Begovic, but referee Attwell blew for the infringement before the Ivorian striker found the net - much to Clement's anger.
But Howe felt the official made the correct decision, adding: "I thought it was a foul, I feel Nathan was fouled but until you see these things again it's hard to tell.
"We were more on the back foot in the second period which was frustrating. We never had full control today, I thought our passing was a little bit off.
"We had a few moment at the end when we could've nicked it but I think that a draw is a fair result."
