Nearly a goalscoring start to his career at Stoke for Badou Ndiaye.

The Senegal midfielder created the opening goal of the game and nearly adds a second when he collects a short pass from Peter Crouch and runs at the home defence, before dragging an effort just wide of the post.

Image source, Reuters

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Steve Cook's early exit means a change of shape for Bournemouth - although there was a like-for-like replacement available on the bench in young centre-back Jack Simpson, Eddie Howe has gone for a change of shape with the introduction of Joshua King.

It means Ryan Fraser (who, at 5ft 4ins, is a full two-and-a-half inches shorter than Xherdan Shaqiri) drops back to an orthodox right-back role. We're assuming he won't be marking Crouch at set-pieces unless the Cherries can smuggle on a stepladder.

A shot on target for Bournemouth as Lewis Cook plays a rather hopeful ball over the top of the Stoke defence, Callum Wilson watches the ball drop over his shoulder and catches it on the full. But his side-footed volley is too close for Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, who comfortably saves the shot.

Good game, this one.

Amrul Choudhury: Bournemouth can thump Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but cannot hold out v Stoke at home. Unpredictability of the Premier League is back.

Image source, Getty Images

The bad start for Bournemouth gets even worse as Steve Cook, who cleared a Shaqiri shot off the line before the visitors took the lead, has had to go off injured. On comes Joshua King, with the Cherries now looking at a 4-3-3 formation.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

If Stoke's decision to start with Peter Crouch as Plan A rather than Plan B may have made a headed goal for the visitors more likely, not many would have forecast it would be the diminutive figure of Xherdan Shaqiri to nod in the opener.

Those victory-starved Potters fans are gleefully singing. Stoke have certainly had the better of the opening exchanges. But will they still be singing in two hours' time?

Jordon Ibe smashes an effort at goal, the net ripples, but the ball has only hit the side netting. Signs of this being a very, very good game.

Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

It's a horror show what's just happened there. Nathan Ake, who was outstanding at Stamford Bridge during the week, can't get anything on it because his position is so poor and Xherdan Shaqiri, the smallest man on the field, is able to head it in.

Image source, Reuters

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Kick-off was preceded by a minute's applause in memory of John Harriss, who worked behind the scenes here at Bournemouth for the best part of five decades before he passed away last month.

Head groundsman at Dean Court for 37 years, he still had a role here on matchdays until well into his eighties, looking after the referees, with whom he remained a popular figure - today's match officials are all wearing black armbands.

There's probably a figure like John at every football club - genial and welcoming to all (though woe betide anyone damaging his beloved pitch!), he loved his sport enough to qualify as an American Football referee in his spare time, officiating in national bowl finals.

An early half-chance for the visitors as Joe Allen is free on the edge of the penalty area and lets fly at goal, but his effort is blocked by Nathan Ake, who scored in Bournemouth's 3-0 win at Chelsea in midweek.

Postpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2018

15:02 GMT 3 February 2018

Bournemouth 0-0 Stoke City

An early sore one for Stoke's Geoff Cameron and Bournemouth Callum Wilson, who accidentally clash inside the opening 20 seconds. Both men look a bit dazed, but hopefully OK to carry on.

And we are off.

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert: "Eddie [Howe] has had good continuity [at Bournemouth], which has helped them, his players know each other inside out, they have a good team spirit and they are a good side collectively.

"We can only worry about ourselves, and focus on doing what we know we can do. There is no doubt that we can win the game."

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "We've been in really good form. Confidence has returned to the group. The manner of the performances against Arsenal and Chelsea was very strong.

"Stoke have changed their system and mentality slightly and the signs look good for them after their opening two games under [Paul] Lambert."

Image source, Getty Images

Time to get the thoughts of both managers...

Image source, Getty Images

Peter Crouch is one short of becoming Stoke's outright all-time leading scorer in the Premier League. He is currently level with Jon Walters on 43 goals.

The big man starts today after only being on the bench against Watford.

It has been hard going for the Stoke travelling army this season.

Played 12 in the league, only one win, three draws and eight defeats. No team has picked up fewer Premier League away points than Stoke's six. And they have certainly taken some beatings as well.

They have lost 7-2 at Manchester City, 5-1 at Tottenham, 5-0 at Chelsea and 3-0 on their last away trip at Manchester United. That's before even talking about the 2-1 humiliation they suffered on the road away at League Two Coventry City in the FA Cup.

Will the Stoke fans have something to cheer about on their long journey back from the south coast today?

Image source, .

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

You all know the one about how Harry Kane can't score in August?, external

While Bournemouth will be satisfied with their league haul from January - two draws and memorable wins over Arsenal and Chelsea - even the Cherries' recent rise through the leagues has often hit a bump in the road in February.

In fact, they have won only two of their last 21 league and cup fixtures played in February - with their eventual promotions in 2013 and 2015 both stuttering at that stage of the campaign.

With Stoke, Huddersfield and Newcastle their opponents this February, the Cherries supporters will feel they need to do better this time.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, .

Stoke picked up another point against Watford in midweek, making it four points in two games for new manager Paul Lambert.

I have a feeling he will set Stoke up to pick up another point here.

Prediction: 1-1

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