Source: Team_Talk
Rovers rattled by Crouch double
Crouch struck either side of half-time to make it a miserable first anniversary for Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce.[LNB]When Allardyce arrived the club were second bottom of the table but under his stewardship relegation was avoided. However, they could be in for another battle to beat the drop after the manner of this home defeat.[LNB]In contrast Tottenham are looking up and this was their second win in a week as they continue to recover following their shock loss to Wolves.[LNB]Blackburn made a bright start, however, and Franco Di Santo had a half-chance in the ninth minute after Vince Grella and Benni McCarthy had linked up.[LNB]But Di Santo failed to get a decent touch and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was able to parry his effort to safety.[LNB]Blackburn almost took the lead five minutes later when a McCarthy free-kick took a deflection off Aaron Lennon and deceived Gomes, only to come back off the bar.[LNB]Tottenham hit back and Jermain Defoe should have added to his 14-goal tally after being released by Niko Kranjcar in the 23rd minute but dragged his shot wide of the post.[LNB]It was clear opening for the in-form striker and he expressed his frustration at seeing the chance go begging.[LNB]Blackburn carved out a good chance in the 30th minute after McCarthy delivered the ball to Di Santo.[LNB]The striker, on loan from Chelsea, took it on his chest and rattled in a shot that Gomes took at the second attempt.[LNB]Junior Hoilett was causing Vedran Corluka problems with his pace on the right flank and the Croatian was booked in the 35th minute after flooring his opponent.[LNB]McCarthy took the free-kick and Steven Nzonzi got a touch only to find the wrong side of the post with his flick.[LNB]McCarthy was looking bright and industrious and saw a dipping shot go over the top five minutes later.[LNB]Tottenham made the breakthrough in stoppage time after Kranjcar chased a lost cause.[LNB]The ball seemed to be drifting out of play but he managed to get in a cross and Crouch headed home off the underside of the bar.[LNB]Tottenham launched a swift counter in the 51st minute and Lennon cut into the area and tried to pick out Defoe. However the striker was unable to get a decent touch and the move broke down.[LNB]Back came Blackburn and they nearly equalised two minutes later only for McCarthy's shot to hit the post and Sebastien Bassong cleared the ball to safety.[LNB]It was a good chance for the South African striker, who has been struggling to nail down a place in the team.[LNB]This was better spell by the home side after the shock of finding themselves chasing the game.[LNB]Blackburn kept up the pressure and Hoilett skipped into the area but saw his effort blocked.[LNB]Then Steven Nzonzi tested Gomes with a shot and even though it arried little power the goalkeeper looked uncomfortable.[LNB]Crouch found the net again in the 79th minute following a cross from Lennon only to be adjudged offside.[LNB]Crouch was not to be denied and got his second goal of the game and his eighth of the season three minutes later with a cool finish after substitute Jermaine Jenas had created the opening.[LNB]Blackburn almost pulled a goal back a minute later but Gomes clawed McCarthy's effort around the post and the fans showed their frustration at the end.[LNB][LNB]
