Owen and England team-mate David Beckham were both outstanding for Real as they reduced the gap at the top of the table to six points with a thrilling win.

Beckham, in fact, was impressive all match as he set up his team’s second goal for Ronaldo with a perfect cross after Zinedine Zidane had put the home side ahead.

He also produced a goal-saving tackle at the other end and whipped a late effort only narrowly wide.

But Owen is the man making the headlines after being given a rare start and responding in style.

After Samuel Eto'o and Raul added their names to the scoresheet to make it 3-1, Owen scored Real’s fourth goal, set up by a stunning long ball from Beckham. The England striker simply strode onto the pass and calmly stroked the ball home to wrap up a remarkable night in the Bernabeu.

Aftewards Owen was on a high, even though Ronaldinho scored a late consolation for Barcelona.

He said: "It was an exciting game and right up there for me with the best I’ve been involved in. It was a great occasion and a great match.

"Everyone was really pleased to have won because we knew we had to win to stand any chance of catching Barcelona. I think we still we have a small chance now. And this game will be remembered for a long time, especially by Madrid fans."

Back in England, Jermain Defoe scored the winning goal for Tottenham to take his tally for the season to 23 in all competitions. It also moved Spurs up to seventh in the Premiership and started dreams of qualification for the UEFA Cup.

But the biggest news was at Goodison Park, where England U17 star James Vaughan scored his side’s fourth goal in a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace to become the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premiership.

He beat the record held by James Milner, who had previously taken the title from former Everton favourite Wayne Rooney.

Vaughan’s appearance also means he became Everton’s youngest post-War player, beating Joe Royle’s record by 12 days.

Not bad for a player who only made his England U17 debut in March as a substitute against Serbia & Montenegro!

But those who watched him score his first international goal against Northern Ireland at Molineux a couple of days later won't be surprised by his success.

Another former boy wonder, Joe Cole , was also on form this weekend. He was at his best for Chelsea as they were held 1-1 by Birmingham with Frank Lampard going closest to winning it.

And Ashley Cole, still only 24, helped Arsenal to a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough, consolidating second place in the Premiership in the process.