Crouch’s finishing flourish shows Saido how it’s done
PETER CROUCH took his tally for the season to three goals in seven games after helping Stoke pick up their first league win since beating Arsenal on August 19.
The 36-year-old should be struggling to continue to flourish at the top of the English game, with younger team-mates such as Saido Berahino taking over the mantle.
The former West Brom striker had the chance to find the net from the penalty spot yesterday, after being brought down by Virgil van Dijk, but was to again fluff his chance, extending his scoreless run to 32 appearances.
Mame Beram Diouf had put Stoke ahead on ten minutes but Maya Yoshida levelled for Southamption a quarter of an hour from the end.
However, the Potters were not to be denied as Crouch came off the bench — replacing Berahino on 70 minutes — to fire home.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: ‘It is a shame for Saido, I thought he did okay. He will always be judged on goals. He is working hard, he is in good physical condition but his time will come.
‘Peter wants to play more games and wants more starts but as a sub coming on he gives the opposition something more to deal with. He has a huge role here and has come up trumps for us late in the day.’
Berahino’s former club West Brom threw away three points in injury time as Watford secured a 2-2 draw from 2-0 down.
Trailing to goals from Salomon Rondon and Jonny Evans after 21 minutes, the Hornets got a foothold in the match after Abdoulaye Doucoure found the net eight minutes before half-time.
West Brom looked to be heading towards their first top-flight win since August 19 but Richarlison got on the end of a Jose Holebas free-kick to earn a point.
West Ham moved out of the bottom three after Diafra Sakho’s injury-time strike secured a 1-0 win over Swansea at the Olympic Stadium.
The home fans had been on the back of their players for much of the match, making feelings known towards under-pressure manager Slaven Bilic, but Sakho’s crucial goal sent West Ham up to 15th.
Bournemouth played out a 0-0 draw with Leicester, with Shinji Okazaki blowing the best chance of the match for the Foxes.