Sweet vindication, indeed. Michael Owen, England’s one-time boy wonder, must feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders after guiding England to a pair of crucial victories in Euro 2008 qualifying. Owen’s three very well-taken goals in two games have lifted the Lions out of fourth place in Group E and into pole qualifying position with just thee games to spare. Now England, after registering its fourth straight 3-0 victory, is once again being talked about as a Euro 2008 favorite — in the English press, anyway.
The confidence with which Owen took his second goal — a fine bouncing strike from some 20 yards — indicates that England’s clinical marksman is back. However, in the wake of such a fantastic international break, Coach Steve McClaren faces a few interesting realities ahead of next month’s qualifier, says the Independent’s James Lawton: Without David Beckham, England found new life on the right. Without Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey played Owen’s foil brilliantly, as he did at times with Liverpool, providing size and strength to shadow Owen’s pace and guile. And without Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry was able to step into the Beckham role as provider. All of this will be much food for thought for McClaren over the next four weeks. But most importantly, says Lawton, England and Owen have got their confidence back.