Crouch ducks for cover as Redknapp vents anger

Southampton 2 Everton 2

Crouch had equalised following James Beattie’s goal against his former club and, with Saints leading thanks to Henri Camara’s strike, the lanky forward went on a mazy run in injury-time.

But his shot failed to test Everton keeper Nigel Martyn and within seconds the visitors broke, with Marcus Bent firing home an equaliser.

The Southampton manager and his son, Saints midfielder Jamie, appeared to vent their anger with Crouch at the end of the game but, having calmed down after seeing two precious points slip away, Redknapp said: “What can you say to the lad, really?

“I would have preferred it if with 30 seconds to go Crouchie had kicked the ball off the pitch but what I didn’t want to happen was the goalkeeper to get the ball and give them one more chance.

“But Crouchie is a striker and wants to score a goal. He had a shot. What was he supposed to do, turn around and run towards the corner? Of course not, he wants to score a goal.

“Thirty seconds from the end and 2-1 up you don’t expect not to win. It is like the feeling I had after my first game in charge here against Middlesbrough when we were 2-0 up on them and still winning in stoppage time.

“We need a bit more luck, you might say that. Beattie’s goal was offside according to the television but you don’t worry about that once you’ve taken the lead.

“Our midfield is working with two new players and the little fellow Camara was dynamite up front. That’s two goals in two games from him now and he wasn’t even getting a game at Celtic.

“We’ve also got a good new full-back in Olivier Bernard for free and we could have lost him to Birmingham who came in with a £500,000 offer to Newcastle after we had settled with him. I think they would have paid him about £800,000 more than us but he stuck with it.”

Everton manager David Moyes was clearly far from happy with his team’s display but admitted: “I’m pleased to get a point.”

He was relieved referee Andy D’Urso did not give an obvious penalty early in the second half when David Weir handled the ball.

Redknapp called it “blatant” and Moyes said: “I think the referee didn’t give it because he didn’t give a push on David Weir ... but we were fortunate there.

“We’re very good at winning games, or not losing them, late on. That’s the way to do it.

“They are a terrific bunch of lads who never know when to stop. I wouldn’t swap them for anyone.”

Moyes revealed he had to make three changes in the second half after Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley were injured.

But he was full of praise for Bent who knocked in fellow substitute Duncan Ferguson’s assist at the death.

Moyes said: “Marcus is getting back to the form more like we had from him up to November time. I can see it in his training and in his desire.

“He has a big part to play for us for the rest of the season.”

SOUTHAMPTON: Smith, Prutton, Lundekvam, Davenport, Bernard, Delap, Redknapp, Quashie, Le Saux, Crouch, Camara.

EVERTON: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs (Arteta 59), Weir, Pistone, McFadden, Cahill, Yobo, Carsley (Bent 45), Kilbane (Ferguson 59), Beattie.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).