GOAL hero Andrew Surman felt Cherries’ victory against Premier League rivals Stoke City had been a triumph for brain and brawn.

Surman paved the way for the 2-1 win at the bet365 Stadium when he netted a sublime opening goal after 16 minutes.

The midfielder’s finely-taken effort was quickly added to by Junior Stanislas’s audacious penalty as Cherries scored twice in 133 seconds.

Eddie Howe’s team were deserving of their 2-0 interval lead, having dominated for long periods and frustrated the Potters with their slick passing game.

However, after Mame Diouf had halved the deficit in the 63rd minute, the tide turned and Cherries were forced to defend resolutely against an aerial bombardment from the hosts.

Surman, who bagged his second goal of the season, told the Daily Echo: “I know it is a cliché, but it really was a game of two halves.

“It was a passing game in the first half and a battling performance trying to get into their half in the second so credit to everyone.

“The weather was horrible, there was a gale-force wind and driving rain. It was a real battle and a great feeling to win.

“I think it had been coming. It has been frustrating for everyone because, apart from the first two games of the season, we have probably deserved more. We have played pretty well but just haven’t turned it into positive results.

“If the performances hadn’t been there and we were really struggling, it would have been different.

“But performance-wise, we have played well but not been ruthless enough in front of goal or conceded poor goals.

“You have to show grit and determination in the Premier League. It is not all about fancy and tippy-tappy football. You have to dig deep.

“We showed great character in the second half and, if we are going to achieve anything this season, we are going to have to do that every week, no matter who we are playing.

“I have heard people say we have a soft centre and things like that but we don’t believe we do. We work hard and try to be physical with teams. Stoke are a physical team so to match them showed a lot about us.”

Surman placed a majestic left-foot shot from 20 yards past Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland following superb build-up play involving Jordon Ibe, Adam Smith and Stanislas.

“It was a great passing move,” said Surman. “Junior put it on a plate for me and set it nicely so I didn’t have to break my stride.

“Fortunately, the wind was behind me, there was a bit of zip on the pitch and I managed to find the corner of the net.

“It would have been nice to score a third as well and we had chances. At 2-0, you are never out of the game so it would have been nice to kill it off with a third but we can’t complain.

"We were delighted to beat a strong team and showed both sides of our game to achieve the victory.”