Crouch double sees Tottenham keep pace

Tottenham kept up the pressure on the leaders with their second win in a week - a 2-0 victory over Blackburn thanks to a brace from Peter Crouch.

The England striker made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time when his header found the net via the underside of the bar.

Crouch's second came eight minutes from time when substitute Jermain Jenas supplied the opening.

Blackburn started brightly and Franco Di Santo had a half-chance in the ninth minute after Vince Grella and Benni McCarthy linked up - but Di Santo failed to get a decent touch and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was able to parry his effort to safety.

Blackburn almost took the lead five minutes later when McCarthy's free-kick took a deflection off Aaron Lennon and deceived Gomes, only to come back off the bar.

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.

Di Santo, on loan from Chelsea, forced a save on the half hour from Gomes, then five minutes later Steven Nzonzi flicked a shot just wide.

Tottenham made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage-time after Vedran Corluka chased a lost cause. The ball seemed to be drifting out of play but he got in a cross and Crouch headed home off the underside of the bar.

After Defoe had gone close in the 51st minute Blackburn nearly equalised two minutes later, only for McCarthy's shot to hit the post. Nzonzi tested Gomes with a shot, before Crouch found the net again in the 79th minute following a cross from Lennon - only to be adjudged offside.

Crouch was not to be denied and got his second goal of the game and his eighth of the season three minutes later - substitute Jermaine Jenas created the opening.