Daily Mirror

Crouch points the way to a GREAT ESCAPE

Record scorer and nervous watcher insists Stoke can still stay up by winning three more games

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

SUPERSUB Peter Crouch has insisted Stoke can still stage a “great escape” this season – after admitting he bites his nails like a fan on the bench.

He broke the club’s Premier League scoring record with a 79th-minute strike at the London Stadium. But Crouch admitted West Ham’s last-minute equaliser meant the 1-1 draw felt like a defeat as Paul Lambert’s side remain five points from safety, with four games to go. They still have to visit Anfield, must win the other three games – and hope. “It’s out of our hands, which is frustratin­g,” said Crouch. “I can’t believe we are in this position, but it’s not over. The belief is still there. We’re playing well. Everyone’s down, but we came close to winning.

“You look at the four games we’ve got left and, if we win three of them, staying up is still a possibilit­y.”

The 37-year-old, who signed a new one-year deal in November, added: “I still feel good and I want to play for as long as possible.

“I’m ready to start games – it’s hard on the bench. I feel like a fan, biting my nails. Hopefully, I can have an impact and be part of a great escape.”

Crouch’s 44th Premier League goal for Stoke takes him above the mark he had shared with Jon Walters.

“I would swap it all to have us stay in the Premier League, but it’s a nice record to have,” he said.

Hammers keeper Joe Hart fumbled Xherdan Shaqiri’s shot for Crouch’s goal, with England boss Gareth Southgate watching.

Three Lions legend Peter Shilton tweeted: “Joe Hart makes a basic mistake for Stoke goal and Jack Butland wins the battle of the England goalkeeper­s.”

Lambert (below) now claims victory over Burnley in Sunday’s home game would “set the cat among the pigeons”.

The Scot added: “We have incredible support – there won’t be many stadiums rocking the way ours will on Sunday. We must get a win, but we’ll drag teams into it.”

Lambert has done enough to convince Stoke to stick with him – even if they go down.

He has impressed with an upturn in performanc­es and has also tried to instil strict discipline on a difficult squad, cracking down on Saido Berahino, Ibrahim Afellay and Jese.

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