Sunday 5 November 2017 07:53, UK
Alan Pardew praised Peter Crouch after his "golden cameo" earned Stoke a hard-fought point against Leicester.
The Potters were second best for most their Saturday lunchtime clash with the Foxes, twice falling behind to goals from Vicente Iborra and Riyad Mahrez.
Keen to avoid a sixth defeat of the season Mark Hughes threw on Crouch, and the decision worked wonders as the striker hauled Stoke level and nearly won the game at the death.
"That's a golden cameo from Peter Crouch," Pardew told Sky Sports. "It was a brilliant performance. I've been managing against him for 10 years and he's a handful. Centre halves are never comfortable playing against him.
"Stoke were going around the box before he came on but as soon as he did they go put the ball into the area. Suddenly it was chances galore."
Crouch's third goal of the season - all of which have come from the substitutes' bench - helped Stoke build on last week's victory at Watford.
And Jamie Redknapp, who joined Pardew in the studio at the bet365 Stadium, saluted the former England international's ability to singlehandedly alter a game.
"Harry Maguire was so comfortable in the first half but, all of a sudden, Crouch came on to change the whole dynamic," the Sky Sports pundit added.
"It was an exceptional cameo, scoring the equaliser and almost getting the winner. Every aspect of his game is exceptional.
"He has a great touch, he appreciates players who play alongside him, he can score goals and he's brave.
"Make no mistake about it, he didn't score because he was six foot seven, it was because he has the desire to win the ball."
