Owen double sinks Russia

Following on from England’s emphatic win over Israel last Saturday, the so-called experts claimed that Russia would prove to be a completely different proposition. The phrase easy victory was not going to be associated with this fixture. Russia under the guidance of former South Korea and Holland manager Gus Hiddink had conceded just one goal prior to their visit to Wembley. They would prove to be no pushovers and a hard match was expected and of course predicted.

Michael Owen though is someone who never seems to hold any stock in predictions. Despite punditry twaddle claiming that the Newcastle United player is beyond his best years, Owen has defied critics who claim he is finished. Ian Wright, in a national newspaper and on a national radio station, correctly claimed that Michael Owen remains a world class striker.

As a big game player, Owen backed up the world class description against the tricky Russians after seven minutes. Gareth Barry’s cross from the right side, found its way through a crowd of players and with almost magnetic efficiency landed at the feet of Michael Owen. Owen took one touch to bring the ball under control and then pushed the ball off the right hand post into the net and past Russian goalkeeper Vlacheslav Malafeev to give England an early lead.

Russia though had a perfectly good goal disallowed soon after when Konstantin Zhyrianov swivelled and scored inside the box, but had the goal ruled out for handball. England perhaps sensed that it was to be their night. Michael Owen certainly wanted to take his part in proceedings. In the 31st minute, Owen grabbed England’s second goal. Rio Ferdinand delivered a long pass down field, which Emile Heskey flicked on to Owen, who struck an unstoppable volley into the net. Owen’s goal was his 40th for his country, making him only the fourth England player to get to forty England goals. The other three players are of course Bobby Charlton on 49 goals, Gary Lineker on 48 goals and Jimmy Greaves on 44 goals.

England had further chances in the first half. A neat passing move involving Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry and Joe Cole, put Emile Heskey, but the Wigan Athletic striker in his right foot could only push his shot against the Russian keeper Malafeev. Shaun Wright Phillips, who scored England’s first on Saturday also could have scored when Joe Cole found his Chelsea colleague in the box with a high cross. The diminutive Wright Phillips rose to head the ball over, perhaps believing that a Russian defender was shadowing him as he took his header.

Russia became more attack minded at the beginning of the second half. England had to weather the storm for a period. Paul Robinson, much maligned in recent weeks proved he was worth his salt with a decent save from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper silenced his critics with a solid performance to reinforce the fact that you don’t become a bad player overnight.

England though finished off the Russians in the 84th minute from an unexpected source. Rio Ferdinand found himself in the box with the ball at his feet. A clever shimmy from the Manchester United defender fooled the Russian defence, and a quick, low follow up shot gave England a 3-0 score-line. To call the source unexpected might be harsh, considering that fellow defender Micah Richards, scored for England on Saturday.

England’s chances of qualifying for the European Championships in Switzerland and Austria have been greatly improved by this victory over one of their main group rivals. The last four qualifiers have ended in a 3-0 win for England. With no goals conceded since the Croatia away game in October of last year things are looking very positive for Steve McClaren’s England defence. Could it also be that McClaren has found a midfield formula that could prove to be the right one? Gareth Barry has certainly taken his England opportunity very well indeed. The rest of the midfield also looks balanced and effective. The tricky wing play of Joe Cole and Shaun Wright Phillips looks to have found its perfect compliment in Barry and Steven Gerrard.

Next up is Estonia at Wembley in October. Don’t be fooled by the experts the result of that match is not a fore gone conclusion by any means. After all the expert analysts were well wide of the mark with the outcome of tonight’s game.

By Stuart Croucher