Owen double sees off Blackburn

Blackburn 1, Liverpool 3

Michael Owen made it five goals in five Premiership games with a double as Liverpool beat 10-man Blackburn.

In the 68th minute Liverpool finally made the breakthrough. Smicer was given a second chance by some sloppy defending and he found Owen, who finished with ease from 12 yards.

Substitute Dino Baggio had a chance to mark his debut with a goal but he skied the ball after Dudek had flapped at a cross.

There were two gilt-edged chances for Owen’s hat-trick – but on both occasions Friedel had the last word with trademark one-on-one saves before he was finally beaten by a fierce, low drive by Kewell from the left-hand side of the penalty box.