Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent
Win a trip to football heaven
If Fabio Capello remained indifferent to the plight of Michael Owen yesterday, he will have been the only one.
Who could not feel a twinge of sympathy, as sharp as the cramping in Owen’s hamstring, when he signalled that a fine performance had been curtailed? Who could not feel the poignancy as he hobbled off, a bitter twist souring what promised to be one of his sweetest days?
Owen had been playing, if not as well as ever, then certainly as brightly as we could remember. It was never going to be enough to win over Capello, but then an England recall has not been in Owen’s thoughts for a while.
Fresh from the birth of his fourth child, Jessica, on Friday, it was enough for him to be starting a final for Manchester United, to be dovetailing with the similarly bright Dimitar Berbatov, and to be sweeping in an excellent goal in the twelfth minute.
It was a quick riposte to Aston Villa’s early penalty, and came moments after a burst of speed from Owen that took everyone by surprise; not least James Collins who was booked for flying in.
If he was not proving a point to Capello — “I didn’t know he was here,” the striker said afterwards with a poker face — Owen seemed at least to be reassuring United, and himself, of his relish for the big stage.
Fully seven years after his last big final when he had scored a crucial goal for Liverpool against United to secure the League Cup, Owen was enjoying himself, not only scoring but dropping deep to link play like a classy No 10.
But then came the moment, as he chased another opportunity, when his left hamstring tightened. No doctor’s examination was required. We all knew what that hobble, and that wince, meant.
It meant that Owen would be required to answer questions afterwards about the minutes he had missed as much as the 42 he had been on the pitch. He would be required to talk not about where this victory fitted in United’s season, but where it left his already dwindling England prospects. “A lot of people are getting their knickers in a twist about that,” he said. “I’m not thinking about it.”
He would be asked if he is cursed, and about the symbolism of him sitting in his blazer and tie while Wayne Rooney came on to steal the match-winning glory.
Unable to shake off the England angle, Owen would even be asked whether he could celebrate his first trophy since 2003, as the medal hung around his neck and he prepared to head off to the United party.
If that question took him aback — and it did — perhaps Owen should have replied that this time last year he was playing for Newcastle United.
His chances at United may be rare, with only five starts in the Barclays Premier League this season, but if there is a riposte, he might argue that it is a relief for him to be at a Champions League club at all.
Far better, in his mind, to have less frequent opportunities but to know that they will be coming on the big stage such as his dramatic winner against Manchester City, the hat-trick away to Wolfsburg in Europe and yesterday’s intervention, than be playing more regularly in mid-table.
The trouble is, of course, that he needs to be fit to be playing at all .
The strain was a legacy, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, of a sodden Wembley pitch that continues to be below the standard anyone should expect.
Owen has not played much football recently and the United manager admitted guiltily that a lack of match sharpness had probably contributed to the injury, as well as the stodgy turf at a stadium that has everything — as it should do for £757 million — apart from a decent pitch. So Owen left Wembley with a medal and an injury on this contrary occasion. One step forward, two back, a pattern that is frustratingly familiar for him, and for many others, if not for Capello.
Owen’s premature departure will have meant little to Capello, who has dismissed him from his thoughts almost since Day 1, but the sight of Rooney holding his knee must have been a concern.
Wednesday’s game against Egypt is only a friendly, but he will want a performance of reassuring confidence after the turbulence of recent weeks.
On top of sacking his captain, losing his left back to injury, and then the deputy left back for reasons that you really could not make up if you tried, Capello found his next promising recruit, Ryan Shawcross, traumatised, and harshly vilified by some, after the tackle that left Aaron Ramsey with a shattered leg.
In the circumstances, the Italian probably expected the worst when he turned up at Wembley. Rooney’s injury may limit his involvement on Wednesday but Capello will accept that if it is the worst news he gets this week.
Otherwise yesterday he will have noted a reasonably bright performance from Stewart Downing, albeit one that was a little fitful as it was from the rest of a Villa team who are only at their best when fresh.
Gabriel Agbonlahor was also bright, but he lacks a little finesse and remains on the standby list for his country.
That is most likely where Stephen Warnock will end up, too, even though he is included in this week’s squad as Capello scours for left backs. Warnock had problems in handling Antonio Valencia, raising questions about whether he should be the next cab off the rank. No one can doubt the Villa defender’s tenacity, but Valencia made him look one-paced.
England squad
Goalkeepers: D James (Portsmouth), R Green (West Ham United), J Hart (Birmingham City).
Defenders: W Brown (Manchester United), J Milner (Aston Villa), J Terry (Chelsea), M Upson (West Ham United), J Lescott (Manchester City), R Shawcross (Stoke City), L Baines (Everton), S Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfield players: D Beckham (AC Milan), T Walcott (Arsenal), F Lampard (Chelsea), G Barry (Manchester City), S Gerrard (Liverpool), M Carrick (Manchester United), S Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), S Downing (Aston Villa).
Forwards: E Heskey (Aston Villa), J Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), W Rooney (Manchester United), P Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), C Cole (West Ham United).
Up-to-date industry sectors news at a glance: interactive heatmap, daily video and podcast
This week: Healthcare. Painful medicine for the economy is cause for concern for all
Win the chance to visit one of France's most beautiful regions. Plus: find out about its delicious food and impressive art history
Long gone are the days of damp tents and flimsy caravans: our guide shows you everything you need to know to 'glamp' in style
Enjoy further reading from where to find the best tradesmen to the new trend for 'bleisure' travel
Europe’s largest independent Jaguar Dealer group with 23 locations across the UK.
To view our latest New Car Offers and Jaguar Approved Vehicles visit Stratstone.com.
Cabriolet 2010
£43,850
Bedford
2006
£27,950
West Yorkshire
Six Figure Package
The Gap Partnership
UK - International travel
£68,672 + travel allowance
BMJ Group
Harrogate
£68,672 + travel allowance
AQA
Harrogate
£80,000+
Kpmg
London
Breathtaking interiors, indoor golf range, manicured grounds, enclosed courtyard, stunning pool, charming carriage house & additional 3 bedroom guest house.
£6,491,752 GBP
From £299,950 freehold.
Double Room with own Bathroom to Rent
£150pw
30% off key ready properties in Cyprus, guaranteed fast and easy finance. Prices from 89,000 Euros!
Visit Iceland with Discover the World for a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness this powerful force of nature. 3-night break from £312. Longer self-drive options available.
Sail from Southampton throughout 2010 & 2011 from just £279 pp. Book now for FREE parking or regional coach transfers!
Hand picked villas with pools with Quality Villas Ltd. Provence, St Tropez & more
For the best savings book your 2011 Celebrity Cruise
with Iglucruise.com now plus enjoy FREE parking or regional coach transfers.
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Milkround | Globrix
Copyright 2010 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Your Comments
Order By: