Premier League - Crouch double gives Pompey win

Eurosport - Sat, 21 Mar 23:12:00 2009

Peter Crouch scored twice as Portsmouth came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Fratton Park and secure a vital three points in their fight against Premier League relegation.

Peter Crouch - 0

Leighton Baines put Everton ahead direct from a free-kick early on, but Crouch equalised midway through the first half with a towering header at the far post.

The England striker sealed victory for Paul Hart's side with another header on 75 minutes, beating Tim Howard with a powerful leap from a right-wing corner.

The result was only Portsmouth's second win in 14 Premier League matches and only their second home win in all competitions this year.

David Moyes's Everton arrived at Fratton Park having not lost in the league since going down 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in January.

The visitors went ahead in the fourth minute when Younes Kaboul tripped Louis Saha to concede a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Baines stepped out and curled an exquisite left-foot shot past the wall and in off the post to leave David James rooted to the spot.

Portsmouth were visibly shaken and Kaboul's indecision in clearing Jo's right-wing cross threatened to see the home side further behind soon after, before James came to the rescue and cleared his lines.

But the home side gradually settled and drew level on 22 minutes when Everton failed to clear a corner. Nico Kranjcar clipped over a fine cross from the right and Glen Johnson selflessly headed back across goal for Crouch to nod home at the far post.

Portsmouth's equaliser was not without controversy however. Replays showed the initial decision to award Portsmouth a corner was wrong, with Johnson's shot flying directly behind without a touch from an Everton player.

The remainder of the first half was a balanced affair, with both sides enjoying territory and looking to get forward at every opportunity.

Everton had the best chance to take a lead into the break when Distin's looping defensive header fell at the feet of Jo 25 yards out. The Brazilian pushed the ball out from his feet confidently, but his shot was lacking in both power and direction.

The visitors dominated the early exchanges in the second half, but it was Portsmouth who created the better chances.

David Nugent found Crouch with a diagonal cross 10 minutes in, but his looping header was caught comfortably by Howard.

On the hour-mark Crouch returned the favour, slipping Nugent in on goal with clever chipped pass from the edge of the box. Howard was alert to the danger, however, and rushed out to deny the former Preston striker with a brave block.

Everton were limited to long-range efforts, with Saha's wild 30-yard drive the best of a bad bunch.

As the half progressed Portsmouth became increasingly confident and it was no surprise when they went ahead on 75 minutes - Crouch timing his run to perfection to head home powerfully at the far post from a corner.

Sean Davis hit the post for Portsmouth with a powerful 25-yard drive soon after, and with Everton struggling to find attacking inspiration the home side ultimately cruised home for a vital victory.

Will Tidey / Eurosport

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  1. What a thing to say Cameron W maybe that W stands for­ Wa/n/ker.
    Everton have done too well with the­ injuries and the funds they got and who is talking­ about Champs Lge anyways, i'm happy to get 5th­ place like we normally do.
    Dont be stupid about­ relegation are you a basket case or something look at­ the table or go to specsavers you blind C.U.NT

    From Fast Eddy, on Sun 22 Mar 9:32PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    joanmanby, I'M SORRY LOVE, BUT YOUR ATTEMPT AT­ THROWING ABUSE WAS RATHER LAME, SO FOR THAT REASON, I­ DON'T THINK I WILL THROW ANY AT YOU. SUFFICE TO­ SAY, PORTSMOUTH IS AN INCREDIBLY BAD CITY. THE FANS ARE­ RENOWNED FOR BE BEING GUTLESS THUGS THAT ATTACK IN­ LARGE NUMBERS AGAINST VERY FEW OPPOSING FANS. THE CITY­ ITSELF IS A FAR CRY FROM THE HISTORICAL MARINE DAYS IN­ WHICH IT SO SELLS ITSELF. THE FEW OLD SHIPS THAT ARE­ PART OF BRITAINS PAST BATTLES ARE THE ONLY WORTHWHILE­ ATTRACTION, WHILST MANY TOWNS THAT HAVE HISTORY TO­ OFFER MAKE EFFORTS TO CLEAN THEIR TOWNS OF THE SCOURGE­ THAT INFESTS EVERY CORNER, ALAS PORTSMOUTH CANNOT DO­ THIS, AS IT IS DRENCHED IN THE SAID SCOURGE.

    From ROCK AND ROLL, on Sun 22 Mar 3:09PM

  3. ALMOST AS FUNNY AS THE PORTSCUM TRAMPS GOING DOWN, IS­­ THAT EVERYTIME THEIR FILTHY INBRED KIDS BUY Wii GAMES,­­ OUR HARRY MAKES MONEY OUT OF THAT­­ ASWELL.............AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA­­ HA HA HA HA .........NOT YOUR YEAR IS IT­­ TRAMPS..............OH, AND STOP TRYING TO COPY OUR­­ LONDON ACCENTS WITH THAT WHINEING TWANG, YOU SOUND­ EVEN­ MORE STUPID THAN WHEN YOU USE THAT CARROT­ CRUNCHING­ DOPEY SOUND..........WE KNOW YOU DON'T­ WANNA LIVE­ IN THE WORST SH1TH0LE IN BRITAIN, BUT HAVE­ A BIT OF­ PRIDE PORTSCUMMER5.

    From ROCK AND ROLL, on Sun 22 Mar 3:01PM

  4. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey­ Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up­ Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play­ Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay­ Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey,­ Pompey Stay Up. Play Up Pompey, Pompey Stay Up.

    PS ­ ROCK AND ROLL If you look on the left hand side of­ your keyboard you'll find a key called 'Caps­ Lock'. If you press this you'll find all your­ captital letters disappear.

    From Ace, on Sun 22 Mar 12:32PM

  5. Well rock and roll i can see how you were brought up,­ no one with a decent upbringing would say such things­ you have a right to your say BUT PLEASE!!!! I am proud­ to live in Portsmouth, moved here in 1974, we have a­ long history of famous and brave people who came from­ portsmouth.By the way was Harry so desperate for money­ he and his son had to do a tv advert? You see we can­ all throw abuse if we feel that way

    From Joan, on Sun 22 Mar 10:09AM

  6. Hey, ROCK & ROLL good result yesterday, eh? Ours,­ not yours, t***er! Lucky win against Chelsea, good goal­ though from your only half-decent player.

    From Peter S, on Sun 22 Mar 10:04AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ALMOST AS FUNNY AS THE PORTSCUM TRAMPS GOING DOWN, IS­ THAT EVERYTIME THEIR FILTHY INBRED KIDS BUY Wii GAMES,­ OUR HARRY MAKES MONEY OUT OF THAT­ ASWELL.............AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA­ HA HA HA HA .........NOT YOUR YEAR IS IT­ TRAMPS..............OH, AND STOP TRYING TO COPY OUR­ LONDON ACCENTS WITH THAT WHINEING TWANG, YOU SOUND EVEN­ MORE STUPID THAN WHEN YOU USE THAT CARROT CRUNCHING­ DOPEY SOUND..........WE KNOW YOU DON'T WANNA LIVE­ IN THE WORST SH1TH0LE IN BRITAIN, BUT HAVE A BIT OF­ PRIDE PORTSCUMMER5.

    From ROCK AND ROLL, on Sun 22 Mar 8:12AM

  8. Simon L. that is what me and every other supporter­ worries about. We do quite well for 80 - 85 - 90­ minutes and then we let one, maybe two in at the lst­ moments

    From dmthomas1, on Sun 22 Mar 12:17AM

  9. play up pompey, pompey play up

    From dmthomas1, on Sun 22 Mar 12:09AM

  10. At last.......play up Pompey

    From shaun, on Sat 21 Mar 7:03PM

  11. AT LAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL DONE POMPEY­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    From oioigeeza, on Sat 21 Mar 4:19PM

  12. tats gr8 crouch...

    From Mohamed, on Sat 21 Mar 4:10PM

  13. OH YES YOU BEAUTY PLAY UP POMPEY MWAH

    From Yvonne, on Sat 21 Mar 4:00PM

  14. Everton the pride of Merseyside...
    lol

    From Nicholas, on Sat 21 Mar 3:09PM

  15. kranjcar is the best

    From vn_leko, on Sat 21 Mar 2:59PM

  16. Everton?
    Champions League, are you having a­ laugh!!
    What a poor excuse of a team; a team i wager­ will be fighting relegation next season.

    From cameron w, on Sat 21 Mar 2:58PM

  17. PLAY UP POMPEY.

    Horatio Nelson

    From Anthony, on Sat 21 Mar 2:52PM

  18. Yea portsmouth

    From Deepak, on Sat 21 Mar 12:47PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yea everton!!
    nipples

    From junaid_sid89, on Sat 21 Mar 12:39PM
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