A week ago the pair scored in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham before Crouch's two goals in extra time rescued his side in their midweek UEFA Cup tie against Guimaraes in Portugal.

The former Liverpool striker added an overhead kick to his tally today while ex-Tottenham star Defoe hit the post before scoring the winner.

Redknapp was delighted with the performance after seven matches in 22 days.

"This run has taken a lot out of the players but they showed a great response," he said.

Redknapp made only two changes from the team which played into the small hours of Friday morning in Portugal - and one of those was suspended midfielder Lassana Diarra - and had special praise for captain Sol Campbell as well as his two front men.

The 34-year-old, disgracefully verbally abused by Spurs fans last Sunday, was impressive again and Redknapp said: "I thought he was absolutely brilliant.

"He's had a lot to deal with and he's a big lad who needs his rest but like the others he's just a great professional who gets on with the job."

On his goalscorers Redknapp added: "It was a fantastic finish by Crouchie for our first goal, great technique and he's been doing it all the time in training.

"Defoe just keeps looking for chances even after he misses. It was a great shot that hit the post but another terrific finish for the second goal."

Stoke's manager Tony Pulis, who was in charge at Fratton Park for 10 months in 2000, could only watch as Pompey's multi-million pound strikeforce did the business.

"That's why Harry has paid the money for Crouch and Defoe. The first goal was a fantastic finish and the second almost as good," he said.

"But you expect us to push on after equalising just after half-time and instead we shot ourselves in the foot.

"We made two bad mistakes in our own half and Defoe punished us, hitting the post with his first chance then scoring from an almost identical position.

"That's what happens at this level. You get punished for errors in your own third of the field and we've had a tough start.

"Bolton and Middlesbrough are tough away games but we've also played five of last season's top 10.

"We hoped we'd catch Pompey on a bad day having played in Europe but I thought they showed they were a very good side."

It was promoted Stoke's fifth match in a row without a win but Redknapp insisted: "I believe all the teams who came up will give it a go in the Premier League.

"Stoke are a handful for anybody and Hull have turned everything upside-down with their results.

"It will need them to go into freefall to go down while West Brom have had some great results too.

"I think we should be prepared to see some surprise names struggling to stay up this season and that's why every point is vital because we don't want to be one of them."