Premier League - Friendlies: Crouch on target

Eurosport - Tue, 22 Jul 08:52:00 2008

Peter Crouch netted his first goals following his return to Portsmouth in a 4-1 friendly victory over manager Harry Redknapp's former club Bournemouth.

Peter Crouch, Portsmouth, 2008 - 0

The England forward, who rejoined Pompey from Liverpool this summer, scored twice in the second half and also linked up impressively with new strike partner Jermain Defoe.

Sulley Muntari grabbed the only goal of the first half in the 23rd minute before Crouch stole the show, tucking in his first following a free-kick before heading in Pompey's third.

Defoe got on the scoresheet with the visitors' fourth against the team he starred for in a loan spell in 2000-01, while Brett Pitman grabbed an 80th-minute consolation for the Cherries.

The only negative for Redknapp was a thigh injury sustained by another new signing, Glen Little.

Blackburn crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Bundesliga newcomers TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in a friendly in Austria.

After a goalless first half, which saw Morten Gamst Pedersen pick up an injury, Rovers boss Paul Ince made a host of substitutions with Robbie Fowler coming on for his Rovers debut.

And it was Hoffenheim who took the lead six minutes into the second half when Christoph Janker followed up after Jason Brown saved a header.

Benni McCarthy's 63rd-minute volley drew Rovers level but two minutes later Matthias Jaissle's header just squeezed beyond Brown to give the Germans the lead again.

And in the final minute Janker grabbed his second to ensure victory for Hoffenheim.

Derek Young scored the only goal of the game to give Aberdeen a 1-0 victory over Brechin at Glebe Park.

The Second Division hosts began the brighter before the Dons hit the woodwork twice in less than a minute through Jamie Smith and Charlie Mulgrew.

Young then netted what proved to be the winner three minutes before the break with a superb left-footed strike from 25 yards.

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson masterminded a 3-0 victory over former club Yeovil.

Dele Adebola netted in each half for last season's Coca-Cola Championship play-off finalists, with a Michael McIndoe penalty sandwiched in between at Huish Park.

Icelander Joey Gudjonsson netted to give City's Championship rivals Burnley a 1-0 victory over Scottish First Division outfit Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Gudjonsson converted with virtually the final kick of the first half after he had been set up by Latvian trialist Gatis Kalnins.

Former Luton striker Calvin Andrew netted twice on the day he signed for Crystal Palace in a 4-0 victory over Tavistock. Ben Watson and an own goal completed the scoring.

UniBond Premier League side Guiseley upset League Two Bradford City, securing a 2-1 victory at Nethermoor.

Adam Muller and James Hanson put the hosts two up inside 20 minutes before Lee Bullock halved the deficit eight minutes into the second half.

Completing the round-up, Rotherham were beaten 2-1 at Sheffield FC - the world's oldest football club. Alex Rhodes equalised after Matt Rooney put the hosts ahead but Gary Townsend won it for Sheffield

SportingLife / Eurosport

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  1. Peter Crouch. Has got off to a flying start with Portsmouth. and under the guidence of
    Mr Arry? Rednapp, he will become a big asset to our National side.
    First team football can only breed confidance in Crouchy. Unfortuantly Peter did not get that at my club LFC. No disrepect to Mr Benitze. But what tickles one, will not allways tickle another? There is a downside to this mesg though? Haveing lived in Bournmouth, all through the 70s they are my second club. But GO PETER GO. (Except when you are at ANFIELD). PS. Best Wish,ers to all football fans in the coming season.

    From a.mcdonough6, on Tue 22 Jul 4:14PM

  2. Peter Crouch may be tall,may not be very fast ,but hes got the finish and he can score goals,wht more do Pompey want.Liverpool already has Torres and Kuyt so he may have never gotten the chance to play.Finally he will play every match and get some goals in for Pompey.

    From dheeraj_khemchand, on Tue 22 Jul 12:00PM

  3. Paul ince story again..herm..y i nvr have faith in him in the 1st place?

    From Fahmi Y, on Tue 22 Jul 11:43AM

  4. I wish the best for Crouch, as far as I can remember he's only failed at Villa and he was never given the chance there, who knows if him and Defoe really produce well next season we could have found the next England strike partnership?!

    From isaac.leigh, on Tue 22 Jul 11:17AM

  5. i kinda want rafa to realize he let someone good go

    From Gonzalo C, on Tue 22 Jul 10:58AM

  6. emmaph2k, how can you say that? he might look awkward and ungainly but hes got one of the best goals per games in the premiership, im fairly sure the best goals per game out of england players and hes scored goals with every team hes played for, he may not be the best in the world but he is a good player

    From nathan t, on Tue 22 Jul 9:47AM

  7. Lily, I'm a famous premiership footballer on a hundred grand a week. I have to disguise myself as a fat, lazy ne'er-do-well just so i can go shopping for my cider and cigarettes, but don't be fooled. Last season, 56 goals in all competitions for club and country, 21 years old, fit as a fiddle. Want a date? Mind how you go....

    From djwill6, on Tue 22 Jul 9:39AM

  8. well emmaph2k, you must reall know loads about football, im surprised S,A,F has not asked you to apply for the old trafford number 2 position. er no actually on reflection i`m not.

    From mike i, on Tue 22 Jul 9:35AM

  9. peter crouch yuck,too tall for a striker,too lanky to push his way tru,pompey i believe will one day regret buying.all this benitez saw in him as a fake striker and decided to get rid of him

    From emmaph2k, on Tue 22 Jul 9:00AM
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