Everything but the goal

England Head Coach Steve McClaren admits he was delighted to watch Michael Owen complete a full 90 minutes as the Three Lions brushed brave Albania aside in a comfortable 3-1 at Burnley’s Turf Moor.

Although the 27-year-old Newcastle striker was unable to score, McClaren believes Owen is not far from being back to his best.

He said: "Michael's overall performance was very good, it was just the goal, the icing on the cake that was missing.

"His general play was very good and he got into positions. He needs 90 minutes and that is the first one he has had for almost a year.

"It is like a new signing and we are in a new period with that new signing. He needs games to get to get to where he wants to be and to get back to how he was."

Alan Smith opened the scoring early in the first half following good work from Nicky Shorey and a delicate lay-off from Gareth Barry to set up the Manchester United forward.

A goal either side of half time from substitute Stewart Downing sealed the win and will have done his chances of being involved against Brazil next week no harm when the squad is announced later today.

McClaren added: "We did everything right and the players can be proud. I have enjoyed watching them and working with them all week.

"But it is not about enjoyment it is about winning games and that is what we did.

"There was a great spirit during the week and you could see that in the way they played.

"We have got a lot of good young players coming through who are knocking on the door and it was a chance for them to show what they can do at this level against a competent team. A lot of them have themselves no harm."