England B cruise to victory
Michael Owen celebrates with two-goal hero Stewart Downing
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Friday, 25, May 2007 10:07
Michael Owen made his international return as England B beat Albania 3-1 at Turf Moor.
The Newcastle United striker played the full 90 minutes as a goal from Alan Smith and a brace from Stewart Downing gave Steve McClaren's side a comfortable victory with Besart Berisha scoring for the visitors.
Scott Carson, Nicky Shorey and David Bentley all started while Michael Dawson, Ledley King, and substitute Phil Jagielka were all given the chance to impress McClaren.
Owen should have marked his return with a goal on five minutes after screwing his shot side from Aaron Lennon's cross.
Dangerman Alban Bushi missed a gilt-edged chance 12 minutes from half-time after being sent clear but his feeble strike was toe-poked away by Carson.
England B punished Bushi's miss a minute later when Gareth Barry set-up up Smith who fired home emphatically from 20 yards to make it 1-0.
Having come on for Lennon after only 13 minutes, Downing doubled England B's lead on 36 minutes after converting the impressive Bentley's cross from the right.
Just as the hosts thought they were cruising to victory, the Albanians hit back when Berisha skipped past King and hammered the ball past Carson to make it 2-1.
Owen continued to threaten to score in the second-half, just failing to connect with Jermaine Jenas' cross on 57 minutes.
The Magpies forward turned provider two minutes later after collecting Bentley's pass and unselfishly setting-up Downing who capped a sweeping move by chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
With the game safe Kieron Dyer, Steven Taylor and Jermain Defoe came on in the closing stages.
Owen wasted another chance after blazing over after Downing's pinpoint pass six minutes from time.
England's next fixture is a friendly against Brazil at the new Wembley next Friday, ahead of the crunch Euro 2008 tie against Estonia at Old Trafford on June 6th.