Premier League: Blackburn 1 Stoke 2

A first-half double from Peter Crouch earned Stoke a 2-1 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park on Monday.

The England striker’s first goal was the 100th league goal of his career, but it was his second just before half-time that knocked the wind out of Blackburn’s sails and sealed the points for the visitors.

David Goodwillie got one back for the home side in the 70th minute following a goalmouth scramble, but it was not enough for Steve Kean’s side.

The home side started the better using the confidence from their victory at Old Trafford to spur them on and they thought they had the perfect start in the fourth minute.

Chris Samba first headed a right wing corner against the bar after beating Ryan Shawcross, then from another corner the Rovers captain again beat Shawcross to head in at the back post, only for his goal to be disallowed for a dubious foul on goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

For all of Blackburn’s early pressure they were undone in the 17th minute as Peter Crouch scored the 100th league goal of his career and his seventh of the season.

Dean Whitehead chipped a ball into the penalty area for Crouch, who out-bodied Samba, brought the ball down with his chest and fired home a volley from six yards.

With the half coming to an end Stoke caught their hosts out with a second goal from a swift counter-attacking move.

Etherington was released on the left hand side, he raced past Jason Lowe and from the edge of the Rovers penalty area chipped a cross over the stranded Henley for Crouch.

The striker controlled the ball on his thigh and emphatically slammed a left-footed volley into the top corner.

The visitors began the second half in control of the game and their relaxed approach saw them play saw excellent football, but they lacked the clinical touch in front of goal.

Crouch came within inches of scoring an outstanding third goal midway through the second half, breaking through a challenge on the right edge of the penalty area and firing towards the top right hand corner of Mark Bunn’s goal, only to narrowly send his shot wide.

With 20 minutes to go Blackburn got themselves a lifeline through substitute Goodwillie.

A left-wing Pedersen corner saw a goalmouth scramble and the sub bundled the ball over the line from two yards.

With 11 minutes to play Blackburn thought they had equalised through Yakubu, but somehow the striker was denied from two yards out.

A long throw was flicked onto the Nigerian who looked certain to score from close range, but a fantastic block from Jonathan Woodgate saw the ball drop into the arms of Sorensen and the danger averted.