Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has said that Stoke City's opening goal in their 3-1 victory over his side this afternoon changed the course of the game.

Big-money signing Gianelli Imbula opened his account for the Potters by breaking the deadlock after just nine minutes at Dean Court, setting Stoke on their way to a first league win in a month.

However, despite their form going into the match, Howe insists that he never doubted the quality that Stoke possess in their squad.

"They were quite compact and deep and I thought they were very respectful of how we played and the first moments of the game I was expecting us to have a really good afternoon but the goal seemed to change the game. I think the quality of their goals was really high and their first goal was a great strike, their third goal was very well worked but their second goal was the one I think we are really disappointed with," Howe told reporters.

"From our perspective we got caught on the counter. We had our moments and we didn't take them. I felt we were a lot more positive in the second half despite the fact we conceded those two goals but we did create chances - Benik [Afobe] with his volley, [Josh] King's chance right at the beginning of the half, several crosses across the box, Junior's [Stanislas] chance back post. We had some really good chances we did not take.

"I think it is very easy to go a few games in this league without winning and people then question everything regarding your club. You look at the quality of the Stoke team, they were missing a few key players, but they still have good players. They are a very strong team and I think that was highlighted by the quality of their goals."

Bournemouth now sit 15th in the Premier League table, just four points clear of the relegation zone.