JUNIOR Stanislas continued his impressive scoring run as Cherries started 2021 with a 1-0 victory at Stoke.

The creative midfielder struck home with 11 minutes remaining to send Cherries back into the top three of the Championship.

It was Stanislas’s seventh goal in his past nine league games.

After victories for Norwich, Swansea and Reading in the division’s earlier kick-offs, Cherries went into the contest knowing only a win would see them go back into third.

Jason Tindall made two changes from the side who lost 2-1 at Brentford last time out.

Sam Surridge and Diego Rico were recalled with David Brooks dropping to the bench. Philip Billing was left out of the squad altogether with a groin strain.

Stoke, sat in eighth ahead of kick-off, knew three points would take them above the Dorset club. Michael O’Neill’s side went into the contest five league games unbeaten – but four of those were draws.

Those limited in attendance at Bet365 Stadium were given a scare just more than an hour ahead of kick-off, as the floodlights went out at the ground and power was cut off.

Fortunately, the electricity returned and it was Cherries who made a bright start.

Rico advanced forward from left wing-back and played a low cross to Surridge – the England under-21 star failed to hit the target when he should have done better from close range.

Stoke then looked to fashion the opener with the game’s first shot on target. Midfielder Jordan Thompson played a neat through ball for frontman Steven Fletcher.

The former Burnley ace worked Asmir Begovic from an acute angle – but the Bosnian was up to the task.

Begovic was then tasked with saving with his feet after Joe Allen unleashed a low drive at his goal – Thompson then saw a free-kick hit the side netting after a foul from Cherries midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

But it was Cherries who spurned another clear chance to break the deadlock midway through the opening half.

Lewis Cook’s sublime through ball picked out the run of Dominic Solanke, who chipped the ball over keeper Joe Bursik with an effort that clipped the top of the bar – the in-form frontman opted to fire despite having Surridge in support.

Back came the hosts however. After a foul by Rico out wide, Thompson’s free-kick picked out Nick Powell inside the box. The former Manchester United man was allowed to glance at goal unchallenged but failed to hit the target.

Cherries then almost broke the deadlock within two minutes of the second half.

Rico galloped down the left flank and turned the ball into a dangerous area – keeper Bursik was on hand to turn away as the Potters scrambled the ball to safety.

The Potters had the ball in the net midway through the second half when Powell turned home a cross from the right – but the referee’s whistle had blown for a foul.

Tindall then looked to the bench and brought on Brooks in place of Surridge, as the visitors hunted a winner.

And the decisive blow came in the way of the visitors with 11 minutes remaining.

Lewis Cook’s measured ball over the top was perfect for the run of Stanislas, who kept his cool to slide the ball under Bursik and earn all three points.

Cherries were however forced to make a late change as Joshua King was brough on in place of Adam Smith, who limped off.

Cherries: Begovic, Smith (King, 86), S Cook, Simpson, Kelly, Rico, Lerma, L Cook, Stanislas, Solanke, Surridge (Brooks, 71).

Unused subs: Gosling, Brooks, Riquelme, Ofoborh, Kilkenny, Anthony, Zemura, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Lerma.

Stoke: Bursik, Collins, Souttar, Chester, Smith (Vokes, 84), Thompson (Clucas, 69), Powell, Allen, McClean (Tymon, 84), Obi-Mikel, Fletcher (Brown, 25).

Unused subs: Batth, Shawcross, Brown, Oakley-Boothe, Cousins, Nna Nokeu (g/k).

Booked: Thompson, Chester, McClean.

Referee: John Brooks