A late Mame Diouf goal earned Stoke their first Premier League win of the season in front of a nervy Britannia Stadium.
Embed from Getty ImagesMark Hughes made two changes prior to kick-off bringing in Philipp Wollscheid for the injured Marc Wilson while Charlie Adam returned from suspension to take the place of Marko Van Ginkel.
It was a stop-start game as Callum Wilson was stretchered off early in the game for what looked to be a knee injury. Wollscheid slid in seemingly getting both man and ball. Wilson received treatment before returning to the action only to go down moments later off the ball.
A Stoke corner was headed clear but only to Glenn Whelan, whose fierce shot through a crowd of bodies was parried wide by Artur Boruc.
There were few chances but the deadlock was broken when Marko Arnautovic weaved his way to the by-line before pulling it back to Jon Walters to tap home.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn first half stoppage time the hosts looked to counter down their right. A well-weighted pass was played but Xherdan Shaqiri pulled up holding his hamstring and he’ll go for a scan on Monday.
The second half was a story of the Potters season. It was the Cherries who dictated proceedings without creating of anything of note.
But in the 76th minute Dan Gosling scored his first league goal since November 2011 firing past Jack Butland from the edge of the box after Marc Pugh’s initial effort was blocked.
Embed from Getty ImagesStoke responded well and six minutes from time Glen Johnson found space on the right side to whip in a cross for Diouf to head past Boruc.
It wasn’t plain sailing as Bournemouth nearly equalised instantly. Glenn Murray’s powerful effort was denied with a strong one handed save from Butland earning the three points.
Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Stoke: “It was important to get the first win to settle everyone down.
“We were okay in the first half. It was very stop-start and fragmented and that seemed to continue, which disrupted the first half.
“It was a great ball from Johnson in between their keeper and defenders.
“In the end it was about getting the result and the three points, so we’re delighted.”
Hughes praised Arnautovic saying he “played exceptionally well” and also praised Wollscheid.
On Butland the Welshman added: “It was an outstanding save to be perfectly honest. He’s done it all year to show he’s a top quality keeper.
Teams
Stoke: Butland, Johnson, Wollscheid, Cameron, Pieters, Whelan, Adam (Van Ginkel 75’), Shaqiri (Afellay 45’), Bojan (Diouf 62’), Arnautovic, Walters.
Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels, Gosling, Tomlin (King 71’), Ritchie, Pugh (87’), Surman, Wilson (Murray 17’).
Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the Match: Glenn Whelan
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