The Cherries won 2-1 as Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo's penalty sandwiched Kaoru Mitoma's equaliser for Brighton.
Iraola told the Daily Echo afterwards: "Really pleased because I considered this game to be quite difficult for us.
“I think we were facing a very good team, especially offensively. I think it's a team that always damages the opposition and creates a lot of chances.
“And to finish with three points against them, I think is valuable.”
Iraola also said: “I think to score first was one of the things we were talking during the week, because it happened the other way against Brighton past season.
“Even if they tie at the end, it gives you a lot of confidence.
“I think we've done it quite well and we've been able to turn the game and finish strong. I think apart from this period in the middle, I finished happy with the performance.”
“I think first half we've been quite solid and probably we've had this moment at the end of the first half already and beginning of the second, especially where they were better than us and we had to go through this difficult period.