Aaron Hughes wants Albion to benefit from an exhausting night at Tottenham.

And that means turning on the defensive steel when they face free-scoring Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Seagulls repelled an early onslaught at White Hart Lane last night but were eventually broken down by in-form duo Erik Lamela, who came off the bench, and Harry Kane.

Hughes felt there was a lot to commend about Albion's defensive work, starting with debut goalkeeper Christian Walton.

And he hopes they produce more of the same against a Cherries side who hit eight at Birmingham City last Saturday.

The Northern Ireland centre-back said: "We always knew it would be a tough game.

"We just wanted to put in a good solid performance and, if we did that, we gave ourselves a chance of getting something.

"It just didn't go for us but we look back and can be reasonably pleased with the performance we put in.

"They (Tottenham) are so decisive. When they decide to go at you, they go at you with pace, power and technical ability. They can pick the right passes.

"For a defender you've got to switch on for the full 90 minutes.

"You come off the pitch mentally fatigued just as much as you are physically fatigued.

"But it's good to test ourselves against these teams."

Hughes was impressed with Walton as the 18-year-old made his senior bow for the club.

He said: "It's his first game and he has been getting words of encouragement from everyone before the game.

"He comes for that first cross and I think that speaks volumes. He had a fantastic game."