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Redknapp feared Crouch boos

Peter Crouch nabbed a brace as Tottenham beat Stoke 3-2 on Saturday © PA Photos

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Harry Redknapp was delighted for Peter Crouch after he bounced back from his midweek sending off against Real Madrid by scoring two goals in Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Stoke today.

The England hitman's red card 15 minutes into the match against Jose Mourinho's side cost Spurs dearly as they went down 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The 30-year-old's name was greeted with a mixed reception as it was read out on the public address system before the game, but he soon won the home fans over by scoring twice.

He said: "It was the response I wanted and expected after Real Madrid. I was pleased for Crouchie. I wasn't sure whether to play and him and I wasn't sure what reaction he would get from the crowd.

"Sometimes they can turn on you when they think you're to blame for something but they were great with him and they made a great atmosphere today. He was okay. He wasn't nervous going into the game.

"I thought we were a pleasure to watch. It was a privilege to be a part of it and watch it from the sidelines. I was worried at the end when they had some pressure. They are dangerous from set pieces and they were winning free-kicks. You have to defend for your life.''

Redknapp now hopes Liverpool can beat Manchester City on Monday to keep his team within three points of Roberto Mancini's fourth-placed side. Redknapp added: "It's still wide open. Anything can happen. Liverpool could beat Man City on Monday night and that could throw it wide open again."

One sour note for the Tottenham boss was seeing Vedran Corluka argue with a home fan after he blasted the defender for failing to run the clock down in injury time.

"I didn't see it. I wanted him to stick it into the corner for Gareth Bale but it didn't work. Players have to be careful in the current climate,'' Redknapp said. "I'll speak to Corluka about it, but I don't understand why fans want to give one of their own players stick.''

Stoke boss Tony Pulis thought his team were close to pulling off another impressive draw after taking a point against Chelsea last week. "We had a poor start but their strikers caused us all sorts of problems,'' Pulis said.

"In the second half we pushed and created a lot of problems for them and in the end they were pleased to hear the whistle I think.''

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