Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel played the entire duration of the game as Stoke City suffered a rare league defeat in the English Championship, the second tier of club football in England. John Obi Mikel could not influence the outcome of the game as the Potters were beaten 1-0 at home by fellow Premier League promotion chasers Bournemouth. Bournemouth winger Junior Stanislas scored the only goal on 79 minutes to end a five-match unbeaten run for Stoke City in the league. Stoke City had won one and drawn four of their last five English Championship matches before the home clash with the Cherries at the weekend.

Their last defeat in the league was a 2-1 comeback loss to Welsh club Cardiff City at home in the second week of December.

John Obi Mikel made his first start for Stoke City during the Bournemouth game since returning from injury at the end of last month. He returned to the Stoke City squad in the penultimate league game, a 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest. John Obi Mikel was introduced into the game at the midway stage of the second half in the place of Jordan Thompson but he couldn't do much to change the outcome of the game. Ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel signed for Stoke City last summer on a free transfer and he would be hoping that he can guide the Potters back to the top flight.
Stoke City dropped one place to eighth position as a result of the defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend with fellow promotion chasers Middlesbrough usurping the Potters into seventh spot. Despite their current status, the Potters are still two points off the last promotion place presently occupied by Watford who were also on the losing end at the weekend just like Stoke City.