Owen back on a winning streak

After a week of trials and tribulations off the pitch, Liverpool striker Michael Owen was relieved to get back to doing what he does best at Anfield last night.

The 23-year-old has come under intense media scrutiny over reports of his gambling exploits.

But it was a sure bet that he would answer his critics in emphatic fashion once returning to the field of play.

And so it proved as Owen scored the extra-time goal which wrapped up his side’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United and secured their passage to the Worthington Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

“I had a few chances and the last one was probably the easiest of the lot, so it was nice to score in the end,” said Owen, who raced onto a superb through-ball from Steven Gerrard to fire home past Blades keeper Paddy Kenny.

And when asked if the newspaper stories had affected him, he told Sky Sports: “No no. I would have preferred it not to have happened but that is what happens in this country. You have to put up with it and obviously the main thing is to do your talking on the pitch.”

The England frontman, who sat out the final in 2001 when Liverpool last won this trophy but played in the FA Cup final victory the same season, said he was looking forward to returning to the Millennium Stadium.

“I’d love to go to another final,” said Owen. “Cardiff is a great place, it’s a great stadium and there’s a great atmosphere there.

“To get in a final is no mean achievement. It’s the first final of the year and we are happy to be in it.”

El Hadji Diouf had levelled the tie on aggregate early in the first half and Liverpool will now face either Blackburn or Manchester United in Cardiff on March 2.