Ake was thankful to his team mates for helping get the best out of him against the Potters and thought the visitors warranted their first Premier League away win of the season.
"There was a lot of emotion in the game," the Dutch under-21 international told BBC Radio Solent.
"It was a really tough day, but I had good help from Steve Cook and Dan Gosling covered a lot of ground in front to help me, it was always going to be difficult.
"For the goal, the ball was lovely, perfectly on my head. I thought there were a lot of big players in the box but it was a really good ball from Junior and I was delighted it went in.
"I felt that we deserved the win, we fought, worked until the last minute and dug in in a difficult 2nd half.
"Playing against some big strikers was a tough test and I'm delighted - it's been a perfect day."
Ake has found game time limited so far this season due to the form of the back four, but the Chelsea loanee was adamant that he was always going to keep working hard in order to take his chance when it was presented to him.
He continued: "I can't lie, it has been difficult.
"Every footballer wants to play every game, it's been frustrating but a lot of people have helped me along the way.
"I knew my chance would come, finally it did today and you need to be there and take it when it comes. I'm delighted, I'm pleased to make an impact and need to keep going now."
