Ryan Shawcross own goal rescues point for Bournemouth against Stoke City

A controversial own goal from Ryan Shawcross denied Stoke a first away win since January and handed Bournemouth the point that seals their top-flight status for another year.

Shawcross unwittingly deflected Josh King’s strike into his own net but Stoke were frustrated that the Bournemouth striker had not been flagged offside from Max Gradel’s header. The goal stood and the visitors were forced to settle for just their second point on the road since their 3-1 league win at Sunderland on 14 January.

Stoke ended their 10-hour away-goal drought in the first half thanks to Lys Mousset’s own goal and an ungainly finish from Mame Biram Diouf. Bournemouth hit back through Junior Stanislas before Shawcross’s own goal ensured the two midtable sides shared the spoils.

When Stoke did finally score an away goal it was not courtesy of one of their players. Instead, the Bournemouth forward Mousset put through his own net, unwittingly placing a backwards header past his goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, following Marko Arnautovic’s corner.

The home side were unlucky to fall behind, especially after Adam Smith’s fine early effort concluded the best move of the first half, the full-back blasting against the post from 18 yards after a superb reverse flick from Stanislas.

Harry Arter was also fortunate to escape a red card for a two-footed lunge on Joe Allen, that he made contact with the ball perhaps just enough to keep him on the field.

Arnautovic then underscored Stoke’s tribulations in front of goal by heading over from four yards when unmarked, having been picked out by Allen’s neat cross.

Bournemouth seized on the reprieve, Stanislas sliding home after Smith’s low cutback and King’s canny step-over. But just as the Cherries could sight victory, up popped Diouf with a finish as ugly as it was welcome to the visitors.

Arnautovic unsettled Francis when challenging for Geoff Cameron’s cross, allowing Diouf to latch on to the loose ball for his first league goal in 12 months. The Senegal striker eventually hooked the ball home, but the way his finish bobbled in will have left Boruc kicking himself.

The game’s second own goal then had the hosts level again with Shawcross powerless to prevent himself deflecting King’s effort past Jack Butland. Smith again played a pivotal role, his cross allowing Gradel to head into King’s path despite the fact that the Norway striker appeared to have strayed offside.

“Arter’s very lucky to stay on the field,” said Mark Hughes. “It was a poor challenge and should have been penalised with a red card. And Gradel did kick out [at Shawcross], so he’s fortunate that the fourth official didn’t see it.

“[King] got fortunate with the offside, and his initial touch has taken it away from goal. So there’s a few moments there where we feel aggrieved. I thought we were the better team.”

Eddie Howe was convinced Arter’s challenge was legitimate. “That’s how Harry plays, he’s right on the edge, very competitive, very honest,” he said. “I think he’s got the ball clean.

“I’m immensely proud of the players and for the people of Bournemouth. We’re competing against the best club teams in the world, to be competitive is incredibly difficult so I have to pay full respect to our players and staff for making us achieve our Premier League status again.”