Crouch: Best goal of my career

Peter Crouch has described his goal in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City as the best of his career.

The lanky striker collected a Jermaine Pennant header with his chest before volleying past keeper Joe Hart in the 59th minute of Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

Yaya Toure equalised for the visitors but that did not stop Crouch revelling in his strike.

“It’s probably the best goal I’ve ever scored.” he told ESPN.

“I always enjoy a volley but they don’t normally fly in like that. Every day in training I practice volleying, and when the ball dropped I popped it up and went for it.”

Crouch, who joined Stoke from Tottenham in the summer, also talked up his chances of making the England squad for Euro 2012 given his recent form.

“I knew when I signed for Stoke that if I am playing games and scoring goals then I’d have a chance to play for England and there is a big competition coming up.,” he said.

“I hope I get a chance and I’d grab it with both hands.”

Meanwhile, Yaya has urged his team-mates not to panic as the title race rumbles on.

“It is really important now not to panic. Today we drew against a good team,” he said.

“It is always tough to play against Stoke, but I think the most important thing is to keep going, continuing to work hard.

“Hopefully, if United can continue to drop points that will be important for the title race. I think we have to work hard and continue being ourselves.”

Yaya also spoke about City’s faltering away form since Christmas and admitted that it was always going to be tough against Stoke.

“It is difficult because of the pressure and away it is always more difficult,” he said.

“Stoke are very hard and very strong on the break and I think we deserved to draw today because Stoke did play very well and cause us a lot of problems.

“I think the most important thing is that we keep winning and wait for Monday and see what United do.”