Peter Crouch never ceases to amaze, to surprise. It’s his height that’s misleading, no matter how many times he shows us he’s more than just a tall player with aerial superiority. His incredible goal in Stoke’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City is not only the goal of the season in the English Premier League, but a wonderful gift to Alex Ferguson and Manchester United.

Jermain Pennant is written for the assist, but this one, Crouch’s 8th goal this season, his first at Stoke, is all on Peter. Crouch, 25 meters diagonal from Joe Hart’s goal, doesn’t even look. He hit it once to balance the ball in the air of Pennant’s header, and then volleyed it perfectly, looping, powerful, into Joe Hart’s net.

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Roberto Mancini showed part of his true colors this week, and in this match. Sitting down from the moment City went down, looking like a man without any answers, like a man who spoke too much. He promised the title would be heading over to Manchester City at the end of the season, but he barely escaped with a point from the Britannia Stadium.

Howard Webb was another one in a long line of referees caught up in the Stoke mystique when they play at home. The roaring crowd, the roaring Tony Pulis, the borderline violent style, and the whistles usually benefit with the home side. Well, Webb has shown us worse this season, and there wasn’t really anything big he missed or unjustly rewarded this time.

United can make it a 3 point lead against Fulham on Monday, while Mancini has everything riding on the Manchester derby at Eastlands. Right now, with City’s most important player, David Silva, going through a rough patch, it doesn’t look like even Tevez’ return can help City win their first title in over 40 years. Not with Crouch scoring these kind of goals.