Our first glimpse of Owen of yore

SO Michael Owen DOES still know where the goal is after all, and few would dispute his clipped finish at Wigan was quite masterful. Be grateful that his leg didn’t snap in two during the process, as has been his wont. He looked suitably delighted, and thankfully spared us the grisly hands-rubbing-together routine he used to indulge in at Liverpool.

There’d been grumblings already. Seeing such a famed greedy-guts eschew the opportunity to snaffle penalties at Wembley and Turf Moor hadn’t inspired confidence, nor his quartet of missed chances in the first two league matches, which had summoned up memories of Andy Cole’s beginnings.

The two have much in common: signings that were a total shock from Newcastle; previously disliked players who came carrying injuries; quondam Future England Legends who never quite reached that level; and playing styles that could be criticised as being too much goal-hanging and not enough goal-making (though to be fair to old Andy, he became a much better all-round team-player at United. But he is never going to feature on any fan’s all-time Red heroes list).