On paper it wasn't meant to be the best, but that was a cracking game. 

Make sure you catch it on Match of the Day later.

In the meantime, you can read all about it here, and follow reaction to the rest of Saturday's drama via this link. 

Referee Graham Scott blows the whistle and Stoke earn an impressive victory at the Vitality Stadium.

Jon Walters has had a brilliant game for Stoke and he almost makes it four. 

The Republic of Ireland international smacks his shot straight at Artur Boruc and Bournemouth scramble clear. 

Five minutes of injury time and Bournemouth are on the attack.

The deliveries are coming in from all angles, but Stoke's defence stand tall and clear their lines, despite the ball ping-ponging around. 

Cherries midfielder Harry Arter is booked for a rather cynical foul on Xherdan Shaqiri. 

Josh King has made a huge difference for Bournemouth on the wing with his speed and precision.

But the Cherries haven't quite had the killer instinct in the box. They retain possession but it looks like the comeback isn't on after all. 

It's getting a bit fruity between Jon Walters and Simon Francis. 

The two face-off after Francis's late tackle and the Bournemouth defender earns a yellow card. 

Stoke make their final substitution, as Stephen Ireland replaces Ibrahim Afellay. 

Image source, Getty Images

Juan Iturbe springs into action immediately for Bournemouth, but his speculative effort is blocked by the body of Stoke defender Philipp Wollschied. 

Harry Arter tries to follow it up but his strike goes well over.

Andy Surman is booked for a rash challenge, and Bournemouth opt to make their third substitution.

Junior Stanislas is off, replaced by on-loan Roma forward Juan Iturbe. 

Bournemouth are really up for this. A flashing cross from Josh King reaches Junior Stanislas but the winger can't quite get it under control.

Mame Diouf's snazzy green and purple boots are causing him some problems. The Stoke striker's lost one of them and he can't redo his laces because he's got gloves on. 

Instead, Glenn Whelan has to bend down to do the honours. That's team-work. 

Bournemouth's Josh King rushes forward on the left but his ball in can't quite reach Matt Ritchie in the centre of the box.

Ritchie is inches away from latching onto the end of it. Very close.

We've finally had a second to breathe here. What a five minutes that was!

Stoke have lost two defenders to injury and Bournemouth are looking to make the most of it.

Benik Afobe hits over from close range, and it spooks an unsettled Stoke. 

Hang on, we have a game here.

Scotland international Matt Ritchie came on at half-time for Bournemouth and has made an impact already.

He smacks a left-footed shot past Jack Butland. Lovely stuff. 

Another beauty from Stoke!

Joselu had only been on the field for a second, replacing the injured Glen Johnson, but he leaps high over the Bournemouth defence and heads home, after a succulent ball in from Xherdan Shaqiri.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke defender Glen Johnson heads away danger in the box, lands heavily and stays down. 

The referee fails to blow the whistle and Bournemouth substitute Josh King tries to poke home past Jack Butland, but is eventually denied.

Johnson needs treatment and is trying to walk off the injury.

Image source, PA

We're back under way!

Two tactical changes for Bournemouth - Marc Pugh and Dan Gosling are off and Josh King and Matt Ritchie are on. 

Stoke also made a chance at the break with Dionatan Teixeira on for Marc Muniesa.  

Image source, Getty Images

Giannelli Imbula arrived at Stoke from Porto on transfer deadline day in January.

The 23-year-old cost the club a record £18.3m, and he's managed to grab his first ever Premier League goal in only his second game for the Potters.

Worth a watch on Match of the Day later. Proper thunderbolt.

Bournemouth have enjoyed 62% possession in this game but have only forced Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland into one save all game - that was from Charlie Daniels. 

Striker Benik Afobe has netted three in five for the Cherries, but as this map shows, he's only had two touches in the box in the first 45 minutes at the Vitality Stadium. 

Image source, Opta

Marc Muniesa is receiving some treatment on a leg injury, and it looks like Stoke are going to be forced into a change.

But the half-time whistle goes before it can be made.

It's Stoke who have the advantage at Bournemouth.