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Played
January 2, 2012 3:00 PM GMT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: L. Mason
Attendance: 20615
January 2, 2012 3:00 PM GMT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: L. Mason
Attendance: 20615
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| Blackburn | 2.55 | 29.00 | 2.60 | 61.00 | 2.75 | 80.00 | 2.75 | 2.40 |
| Draw | 3.20 | 4.75 | 3.20 | 9.50 | 3.25 | 8.50 | 3.35 | 3.30 |
| Stoke City | 2.80 | 1.14 | 2.65 | 1.06 | 2.63 | 1.05 | 2.60 | 2.80 |
Top of the Match
Peter Crouch
Stoke City
Stoke City
Peter Crouch
Stoke City
Stoke City
Flop of the Match
Radosav Petrović
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Radosav Petrović
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Stoke City: Peter Crouch brace downs struggling hosts to pile pressure back on Steve Kean
The former Liverpool striker's first-half double helped Tony Pulis' side to victory at Ewood Park, with David Goodwillie grabbing a consoliation strike for the hosts
By Alex Fisher at Ewood Park
Getty Images
A first-half double from Peter Crouch earned Stoke a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park and subjected Blackburn to their eighth home defeat of the season, while the Potters won their fourth away game of season.
The England striker’s first goal was the 100th of his league 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 wasn’t enough for Steve Kean’s side to mount a comeback.
The Rovers boss made just one change to the side that was victorious at Old Trafford with Spanish youngster Ruben Rochina dropping to the bench and David Dunn returning to the centre of midfield. That saw see Mortern Gamst Pedersen move to the left wing as Dunn slotted in alongside Steven N'Zonzi.
There were four changes to the Stoke side that could only draw with Wigan on Saturday. Jonathan Woodgate returned in place of Andy Wilkinson, while Ryan Shotton, Glenn Whelan and Dean Whitehead all started in midfield ahead of Jermaine Pennant, Wilson Palacios and Rory Delap.
The home side started buoyantly following their victory at Old Trafford, and nearly had the perfect start in the fourth minute. Chris Samba first headed a corner against the bar after beating Ryan Shawcross, before rising above Shawcross again to head in at the back post, only to see his effort disallowed for a dubious foul on Thomas Sorensen.
Rovers continued to press and Dunn had a great chance to put his side into the lead in the 10th minute as he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Stoke penalty area, but his low shot was easily smothered by Sorensen.
Off-beat | Despite Samba's best efforts Blackburn resumed normal service with defeat
Four minutes later the Stoke comeback began as Shotton went close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range strike, with his 25 yard effort just whistling past the post of goalkeeper Mark Bunn after he was invited to shoot by the Blackburn defence.
For all of Blackburn’s early pressure they were undone in the 17th minute as Peter Crouch bagged his seventh of the season. Whitehead chipped a ball into the penalty area, and the former Tottenham man jostled with Samba before controlling with his chest, before taking advantage of the Rovers captain's slip to slot home from six yards.
That setback could have floored Rovers but they got themselves back onto the front foot and Samba was again their main attacking threat. Shawcross’ headed clearance from a free-kick only looped up towards Samba on the edge of the penalty area, who fired a left-footed shot towards goal but Sorensen got down well to turn the ball wide.
With the half coming to an end Stoke caught their hosts out with a second goal from a swift counter-attacking move. Matthew Etherington was released on the left-hand side, and after beating Jason Lowe he chipped a cross over the stranded Grant Henley for Crouch, who controlled with his thigh before emphatically beating Bunn on the volley.
The visitors began the second half in control, but they were unable to extend their lead despite the relaxed approach their two-goal advantage afforded them. Kean's side were struggling to create any clear-cut chances, with a number of goalmouth scrambles which were easily cleared by the Potters backline the biggest threat the hosts could muster.
Crouch came within inches of scoring an outstanding third goal midway through the second half, after riding a challenge on the right-hand side of the penalty area he cut in before firing an effort towards goal, only for the woodwork to deny him a hat-trick.
With 20 minutes to go Blackburn grabbed a lifeline through Goodwillie, with the substitute bundling over from two yards after a Pedersen free-kick resulted in a goalmouth scramble.
Old Trafford hero Yakubu looked to have restored parity late on, but his effort from close range was blocked by Woodgate, as Stoke held on for victory and ensured the respite afforded to Steve Kean following his side's victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men was short lived.
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The England striker’s first goal was the 100th of his league 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 wasn’t enough for Steve Kean’s side to mount a comeback.
The Rovers boss made just one change to the side that was victorious at Old Trafford with Spanish youngster Ruben Rochina dropping to the bench and David Dunn returning to the centre of midfield. That saw see Mortern Gamst Pedersen move to the left wing as Dunn slotted in alongside Steven N'Zonzi.
There were four changes to the Stoke side that could only draw with Wigan on Saturday. Jonathan Woodgate returned in place of Andy Wilkinson, while Ryan Shotton, Glenn Whelan and Dean Whitehead all started in midfield ahead of Jermaine Pennant, Wilson Palacios and Rory Delap.
The home side started buoyantly following their victory at Old Trafford, and nearly had the perfect start in the fourth minute. Chris Samba first headed a corner against the bar after beating Ryan Shawcross, before rising above Shawcross again to head in at the back post, only to see his effort disallowed for a dubious foul on Thomas Sorensen.
Rovers continued to press and Dunn had a great chance to put his side into the lead in the 10th minute as he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Stoke penalty area, but his low shot was easily smothered by Sorensen.
Off-beat | Despite Samba's best efforts Blackburn resumed normal service with defeat
Four minutes later the Stoke comeback began as Shotton went close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range strike, with his 25 yard effort just whistling past the post of goalkeeper Mark Bunn after he was invited to shoot by the Blackburn defence.
For all of Blackburn’s early pressure they were undone in the 17th minute as Peter Crouch bagged his seventh of the season. Whitehead chipped a ball into the penalty area, and the former Tottenham man jostled with Samba before controlling with his chest, before taking advantage of the Rovers captain's slip to slot home from six yards.
That setback could have floored Rovers but they got themselves back onto the front foot and Samba was again their main attacking threat. Shawcross’ headed clearance from a free-kick only looped up towards Samba on the edge of the penalty area, who fired a left-footed shot towards goal but Sorensen got down well to turn the ball wide.
With the half coming to an end Stoke caught their hosts out with a second goal from a swift counter-attacking move. Matthew Etherington was released on the left-hand side, and after beating Jason Lowe he chipped a cross over the stranded Grant Henley for Crouch, who controlled with his thigh before emphatically beating Bunn on the volley.
The visitors began the second half in control, but they were unable to extend their lead despite the relaxed approach their two-goal advantage afforded them. Kean's side were struggling to create any clear-cut chances, with a number of goalmouth scrambles which were easily cleared by the Potters backline the biggest threat the hosts could muster.
Crouch came within inches of scoring an outstanding third goal midway through the second half, after riding a challenge on the right-hand side of the penalty area he cut in before firing an effort towards goal, only for the woodwork to deny him a hat-trick.
With 20 minutes to go Blackburn grabbed a lifeline through Goodwillie, with the substitute bundling over from two yards after a Pedersen free-kick resulted in a goalmouth scramble.
Old Trafford hero Yakubu looked to have restored parity late on, but his effort from close range was blocked by Woodgate, as Stoke held on for victory and ensured the respite afforded to Steve Kean following his side's victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men was short lived.
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Substitution IN
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Results
Times In GMT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
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Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
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Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
