Despite his costly dismissal against Real Madrid in midweek, the England striker started the game and took only 10 minutes to open the scoring with a well-taken header before Luka Modric made it 2-0.
Crouch added his second after Matthew Etherington had pulled one back for Stoke and Kenwyne Jones smashed one in off the bar to make it 3-2 just before the break.
Despite an impressive second-half performance, the Potters could not find an equaliser and Spurs were made to hold on for the narrow win.
The Londoners will have to put in a much more disciplined performance if they are to overhaul Jose Mourinho's men with five goals on Wednesday, but the win is an important one given that they had failed to win any of their previous four league games in their pursuit of a top-four place.
Source: PA
Source: PA