Crouch in tigerish mood as Portsmouth win

Portsmouth FC vented their frustration at missing out on a Round of 32 place on SC Heerenveen, with Peter Crouch striking twice in a comfortable 3-0 home win.

Quick double
The England striker scored a quick double just before the interval and Tony Adams's side not only successfully held on to their 2-0 lead but added to it in the final minute with a header from Hermann Hreidarsson. However, the Fratton Park faithful were left to regret the two late goals Portsmouth conceded in their previous UEFA Cup home game, as they drew 2-2 against AC Milan to lose their footing in Group E.

Worrying misses
On Wednesday, Portsmouth should have taken the lead after Armand Traoré's storming run from halfway but Crouch stabbed his first-time shot across the goal and wide of the far post. The England striker then contrived to hit the crossbar after Mark Wilson had picked him out in the box with a brilliant cross-field pass. The ball bounced up invitingly for Crouch but he could only poke it onto the woodwork.

Crouch header
Portsmouth were looking slick in attack but the number of wasted chances was beginning to cause concern before Crouch finally reaped the dividends. Arnold Mvuemba cut the ball back to Wilson, who floated another cross towards the far post and this time Crouch connected well with his downward header to put Portsmouth 1-0 up in the 40th minute.

Opportunist finish
Two minutes later, it was 2-0, with Nwankwo Kanu tricking his way into the box with a mazy run and Crouch pouncing to finish after the Nigerian's shot was saved. The game petered out as a contest in the second half, but Portsmouth added a third at the very end after Nadir Belhadj was fouled and Hreidarsson headed home Glen Little's free-kick.