Positive progress

UEFA European Championship Qualifier
8pm, Wednesday 12 September 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC1

Michael Owen believes England are in a great position to reach the Euro 2008 Finals, after his double strike helped beat Russia 3-0 on Wednesday evening.

Newcastle United striker Owen was named man of the match and given a standing ovation at Wembley after taking his international goal tally to 40 – just nine short of record holder Sir Bobby Charlton.

Personal accolades were the last thing on the mind of England’s number 10 though and he was more concerned with three points than anything else.

“We know we are a good group of players. It's been difficult proving that.

“We've been proving it far too infrequently really, but these two games have been encouraging. If we can keep progressing like that, we're onto a good thing.”

Owen is already well on his way to becoming an England legend but it’s easy to forget he is still young at 27 – and may not have even reached his peak yet.

“I've still got quite a long time before I start falling away,” he insisted.

“I'm only 27, so hopefully there are good times ahead with England. That's got to be the plan because there is a good group of players. We knew that despite what anyone said.”