Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Stoke City and Bournemouth at the bet365 Stadium as Dominic Solanke scored in the second half to seal a narrow victory for the Cherries.
Tuesday 19 October 2021 23:36, UK
Bournemouth went six points clear at the Championship summit after a battling 1-0 away win over fellow promotion-chasing Stoke.
Striker Dominic Solanke's 51st-minute goal did the damage and the former Chelsea man also hit the crossbar as the Cherries inflicted a first home league defeat of the season on the Potters.
Jordan Thompson struck a post with the hosts' best chance of the game, but Solanke's eighth goal in his last 11 matches was just what Scott Parker's impressive side needed.
The Cherries are now unbeaten in 13 league matches so far this season and have not conceded in their last six league away matches.
Stoke boss Michael O'Neill made two changes to his starting line-up, as Thompson and midfielder Sam Clucas returned, while Romaine Sawyers and Mario Vrancic dropped to the bench.
Potters fans were delighted to see popular striker Tyrese Campbell make the bench having been sidelined with a long-term injury.
Parker made just one change to his starting team with Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma handed the chance to shine.
That meant forward Jamal Lowe had to settle for being a substitute as the Cherries looked to extend their immaculate record on the road this season.
But it was the hosts who had the first chance at the bet365 stadium, although Jacob Brown rifled a shot wide of the target.
Stoke keeper Adam Davies easily saved Jack Stacey's ambitious long-range strike as the game hotted up.
Stacey shot wide soon after but then turned provider as Philip Billing wasted a great chance to fire the Cherries ahead in the 19th minute.
Harry Souttar missed Stacey's cross but Billing somehow conspired to shoot over.
Stoke were then struck with a sucker-punch as their leading scorer Nick Powell was forced to limp off with a foot injury.
Powell, who has scored six goals in nine games in all competitions this season, took a hefty knock from Lerma - and his evening was over moments later.
Wing-back Ben Wilmot headed frustratingly wide from Souttar's header into his path from a corner as the hosts went close.
The visitors started with real purpose after the break and Lerma blazed high and wide just five minutes after the restart.
And the Cherries then took the lead after Davies spilled Ryan Christie's powerful right-foot shot - and there was a thankful Solanke, to poke home from close range.
Stoke rallied and came within a whisker of levelling, but Thompson smashed a shot against the right-hand post, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
O'Neill then shuffled his pack and introduced striker Sam Surridge against his former club, with the hosts hungry for an equaliser.
Centre-back Souttar headed wide from Vrancic's cross as the hosts dug deep to try and find a way back into the contest.
O'Neill introduced Campbell to try and get the goal the Potters craved.
But the Cherries nearly put the match out of reach when Solanke rattled the crossbar with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. It was a real let-off for O'Neill's team.
Sub Campbell had an excellent chance to level with 10 minutes to go, but he shot straight at Cherries keeper Mark Travers.
Vrancic tried his luck with a long-range free-kick in injury time, but Travers saved easily.
Stoke's Michael O'Neill: "We're obviously disappointed, I thought we competed well in the game and I couldn't have asked for any more from my players. I thought at times they were a little bit better in possession than us and a bit more polished, they're a good side and move the ball well. But it's a really poor goal for us to concede - and that's what decides the game.
"We're unfortunate not to score ourselves, especially the one that hits the post. However, that's the margins in this league. After giving so much, well it was disappointing to lose the game."
Bournemouth's Scott Parker: "Six clean sheets is no mean feat away from home. I think first and foremost, every player built their game on a solid performance defensively - and the work-rate and desire as a team was very pleasing. I think you could see that tonight. I thought we played against a really good side, we knew it was going to be a tough game.
"We had to show that side of us which we're starting to get used to seeing, which is that we can grind it out and put bodies on the line. We've got a desperation to keep the ball out of the net - and it's a good habit to have. For large parts of the game we did really well. We're a team that wants to go at teams. They'd not lost at home, they're a strong side, so that's a good win for us."
