Crouch brings Rovers back to earth

A first-half brace from Peter Crouch earned Stoke a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park as Blackburn failed to build on their stunning victory over Manchester United.

Rovers began well and Christopher Samba headed against the bar before seeing a goal disallowed but it was Stoke who took the lead in the 17th minute through Crouch.

The big striker grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time by finishing off a Stoke break and, although substitute David Goodwillie pulled one back with 21 minutes to go, it was not enough to prevent a third successive home defeat.

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