Pleasure for 'Crouchy'

Peter Crouch believes Tuesday night's famous win over Inter Milan showed just how good we can be when we take the initiative in games.

Peter Crouch believes Tuesday night's famous win over Inter Milan showed just how good we can be when we take the initiative in games.

For the first time since our Champions League win over FC Twente at the Lane in September, we took the lead in a game before going on to win resoundingly.

‘Crouchy' hit the second goal in our 3-1 victory, in which he feels our attacking players including Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and, of course, Gareth Bale, came to the fore.

And this is what he feels was the difference from our 4-3 defeat against the European champions in the San Siro a fortnight ago, as well as a more resolute defensive effort.

The striker said: "The manager said to us we had to play the game at a Premier League tempo and that's what we did. We got in their faces and took the game to them.

"On the front foot we're a fantastic side with so many attacking players. It's a pleasure to play in a team like this at times and I thought we really showed how good we can be.

"It wasn't a lucky 1-0 or 2-1. I thought we played some great football and thoroughly deserved it. There were some great individual performances, Gareth Bale was magnificent of course, and we were very sound at the back. As a team we worked very hard defensively and deserved the three points."

‘Crouchy' also praised the supporters who were responsible for what many have described as the best atmosphere created at the Lane in many a year.

He added: "It was great night to be a part of. The fans were always going to play a big part and it was such a great atmosphere. Thankfully we put on a show and managed to get the three points."