Owen: England can prove they are one of the top six

MICHAEL OWEN answered criticism by Wales coach John Toshack by insisting England can prove their credentials as one of the top six nations and qualify for the World Cup with a match to spare.

Toshack claimed England "have still got to prove they can be one of the top six" and "may to rethink" tactics against leading teams after their unconvincing 1-0 win in Cardiff.

However, Owen maintained Sven-Goran Eriksson's side simply played as well as they had to in beating Wales and would have performed much better against Brazil or Argentina.