Stoke City rediscovered their free-scoring ways with an impressive 3-1 win over Bournemouth at Dean Court on Saturday.
Mark Hughes' Potters had not scored in the Premier League for four matches but finally broke their drought in the ninth minute in fine fashion.
January signing Giannelli Imbula produced a stunning left-footed volley across Artur Boruc to open his account for his new club with a goal to remember.
Stoke, playing with 10 men as Glen Johnson received treatment, doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second half when Jon Walters teed up Ibrahim Afellay who fired home first time from just outside the area.
A third goal came three minutes later when Johnson's replacement Joselu emphatically nodded home Xherdan Shaqiri's cut-back cross from the byline.
Bournemouth managed to pull one back in the 57th minute - the contest's third goal in five minutes - when Matt Ritchie came up with a brilliant volley from Charlie Daniel's bouncing ball from the left.
However, the damage had already been done as Stoke held on for a much-needed win at the expense of Eddie Howe's Cherries. The result has the Potters sitting 10th on the table as Bournemouth stayed 15th where they are just four points above the drop zone.
MATCH OVERVIEW
AFC Bournemouth: 1 (Matt Ritchie 57')
Sunderland: 3 (Giannelli Imbula 9', Ibrahim Afellay 52', Joselu 55')
Vitality Stadium (Dean Court), Bournemouth - 10,863
TALKING POINTS
- Bournemouth just hanging on. Will their inexperience in the Premier League prove to be their downfall or can Howe guide them to safety?
- A crucial win for Stoke. Looked back to their attacking best and could now kick on and push into the top half if they continue in this vein.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Bournemouth host Everton in the FA Cup next weekend before the February 27 trip to Watford in the league.
Stoke next meet bottom-placed Aston Villa at home following their week off.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Very important win today lads ! #Potterspic.twitter.com/Awxbj30iJz
— Joselu Mato (@JoseluMato9) February 13, 2016
we worked really hard to get back to winning ways today, injuries leading to Mama playing right back and all sorts safe journey back #scfc
— Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) February 13, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Bournemouth's Howe on the nature of the loss:
"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.
"From our perspective we got caught on the counter. We had our moments and we didn't take them."
Stoke boss Hughes on the result:
"It was a really pleasing away performance, we came here with a good game plan.
"We were prepared to allow Bournemouth to come on to us a little bit.
"We conceded a bit of possession today, more than we usually do but we felt we could get good opportunities on the break today. With the personnel that we have got we could cause Bournemouth a problem."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
5 - Callum Wilson is still Bournemouth's top scorer in the PL this season (5), yet hasn't played since the end of September. Legacy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 12, 2016
TEAM LEADERS
Bournemouth
Goals - Callum Wilson 5
Assists - Charlie Daniels 5
Clean sheets - Artur Boruc 5
Yellow cards - Harry After 6
Red cards - Simon Francis 1
Stoke
Goals - Marko Arnautovic 7
Assists - Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri 4
Clean sheets - Jack Butland 9
Yellow cards - Erik Pieters 6
Red cards - Ryan Shawcross, Charlie Adam, Ibrahim Afellay 1
