Crouch seals Stoke win

Peter Crouch (centre)
12 April 2012

Peter Crouch earned Stoke a fourth successive win in the Barclays Premier League as they came from behind to triumph 2-1 against Wolves.

The England striker scored the 99th league goal of his career as Stoke achieved their first top-flight win at Molineux for 44 years at the 15th attempt.

Wolves went ahead through Stephen Hunt's penalty but an own goal from Kevin Doyle brought the Potters level after the break before Crouch decided the outcome.

Stoke defender Jonathan Woodgate was cautioned early on for bringing down Matt Jarvis in full flight, and he was again to blame after 16 minutes when the recalled Hunt put Wolves ahead from the penalty spot.

Woodgate could have few complaints after chopping down dangerman Jarvis inside the box, although he escaped a second yellow card. Hunt duly tucked away the spot kick. Tony Pulis had seen enough and, after only 19 minutes, replaced Woodgate with Jermaine Pennant, allowing Ryan Shotton to drop back to right-back.

Stoke's best chance of the first half fell to Matthew Etherington after Crouch dummied a centre from Shotton but he failed to make a full contact on his shot, which Wayne Hennessey collected.

Jonathan Walters had a good chance to level after 51 minutes when he found himself unmarked at the far post but Etherington's cross seemed to take him by surprise and he poked his effort wide.

Hunt was becoming more involved and forced Thomas Sorensen to save low to his left after being teed up on the edge of the box by Steven Fletcher.

But after 58 minutes an own goal from Doyle put Stoke level. Wolves skipper Roger Johnson was adjudged to have fouled Walters 30 yards out and Glenn Whelan rolled the free-kick into the path of Robert Huth, whose shot ricocheted in off the unfortunate striker.

Crouch completed the turnaround when he beat Stephen Ward to Etherington's deep cross and nodded over the line with 20 minutes remaining.

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