Owen responds to lost in translation attack

MICHAEL OWEN yesterday responded to Carlos Alberto's astonishing attack on him by insisting he had never predicted a five-goal haul against Azerbaijan.

The Brazilian legend, who led his country to World Cup success in 1970, turned on Owen in a bizarre 10-minute post-match rant after his Azerbaijan side had lost 2-0 to England at St James' Park last night.

Owen, who carefully avoided making a pre-match vow to match Malcolm Macdonald's mark of five goals in an England game, missed several chances and was ruled out of the next qualifier in Wales with a booking.