Portsmouth's Peter Crouch turns up volume at Fortress Fratton

That's a setback for maximising corporate revenue streams; rather better news when it comes to stirring up an intimidating atmosphere in the heat of a relegation battle. It was fire and brimstone at Fratton Park on Saturday, the old stadium turned into a raucous bearpit as the Pompey partisans urged on their side, who responded by transforming an early deficit into a priceless victory.  Related ArticlesPremier League actionLatest standings and statisticsPeter Crouch gives Portsmouth priceless pointsPremier League Round-up: Wayne Rooney sees red as Fulham stun Manchester UnitedPremier League round-up: Andrei Arshavin inspires ArsenalHarry Redknapp could raid Portsmouth for players as he settles into life at SpursEverton had lost just once in 18 matches but they wilted as Portsmouth took control after a hesitant start and their followers pumped up the volume. It felt like Fortress Fratton of old, and with West Bromwich and Bolton the April visitors, no wonder the Portsmouth faithful feel the tide is suddenly running their way. 'The home games are going to be extremely important for us,' acknowledged Peter Crouch, the Portsmouth striker whose two headed goals crowned a vibrant team performance. 'For the first 10 minutes we weren't very good at all but for the rest I thought we were fantastic. If we continue to play like that, we'll have no trouble.'Manager Paul Hart, who has steadied the Portsmouth ship, gleaning two wins and two draws from his five matches in charge, revealed he has been an admirer of Crouch's game since the 6ft 7in forward's schooldays. 'I've seen him since he was 16, and what he does doesn't surprise me. He's got more to offer than just us smacking balls into the box to him,' said Hart, recalling his days as academy manager at Notingham Forest, when Crouch was on Tottenham's books. 'He was like he is now, gangly. It takes a bit of time but once you see through that initial view, even at that age he was more than just a big boy who headed it. 'He brings people into play, he gets hold of it, he plays at the sharp end where it's not all that pleasant. I've got nothing but admiration for him.'Crouch reached the 16-goal mark for the season by heading home Glen Johnson's flick on, then rose to power in Sean Davis's corner 15 minutes from the end. It had all looked so straightforward for Everton when Leighton Baines curled home a fourth-minute free-kick but David Moyes's men, without the midfield drive of the injured Tim Cahill, were curiously lacklustre after losing their early impetus. 'The team didn't defend well at set pieces. We knew about Peter Crouch's threat but we didn't stop it and didn't cope well,' Moyes said. 'It's not common for us to make mistakes which is why it feels bad.' 

Source: Telegraph