Owen the talisman for England win

Azerbaijan 0 England 1

Michael Owen made light of David Beckham’s controversial absence in Azerbaijan as he again rose to the challenge of inspiring his side to victory as stand-in England captain.

Indeed, the danger in missing games on purpose is that you might not be missed as much as you may have have hoped for.

There are, of course, times when Beckham does still inspire his team, such as his superb strike against Wales last weekend.

However, having tarnished that moment with his ensuing injury and self-induced booking, there are now several other team-mates who can step into the breach in his absence.

After all, when Owen last captained England against Slovakia in June 2003, his two goals guided the side to a second-half comeback to defeat Slovakia.

This time around, his 24th-minute header – his fifth England goal in seven games as skipper – was enough to put England firmly in charge of their World Cup qualifying group after four games.

Beckham, meanwhile, was back at home, much warmer and dryer, but with the controversy still raging over his admission that he got booked on purpose against Wales as he was going to miss this game anyway through injury.

He can only hope his apology helps his cause, but it was little wonder he earned himself a night off if the inhospitable conditions in Baku were anything to go by.

For this was one of those archetypal tests of character amid swirling wind and pouring rain in an unfamiliar setting. Maybe Beckham had received an advance weather report.

What was surprising was Sven-Goran Eriksson’s decision to keep faith with his three-pronged attack, given that this was a night on which character was in greater need than creativity.

Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand nevertheless answered the call to stand firm at the back with superb displays, while the indefatigable Nicky Butt and Frank Lampard held the side together in midfield.

Jermaine Jenas certainly worked hard in his first international start, replacing Beckham on the right flank, although perhaps did not make the immediate impression that he would have dreamed of.

England had to draw the sting out of their opponents’ early attacks, with Emin Guliyev and Samir Aliyev both striking shots just wide.

However, Eriksson’s side increasingly took control, even if they were never able to relax in such treacherous conditions.

While Lampard’s shot was deflected off Owen, just like in Saturday’s game against Wales, this time the ball was pushed around the post.

However, Owen was not to be denied any longer and, when Ashley Cole delivered a searching deep cross, the Real Madrid striker headed the ball back across goal and past the keeper.

Little had been seen of Rooney up to this point, but the Manchester United forward then came to life, even if both sides of his game were evident.

While two free-kicks were parried, one from close range after a backpass, he was then booked for a clash with Anatoly Ponomarov for rashly leaving his foot in on his opponent.

The home side, coached by former Brazilian captain Carlos Alberto, were enlivened after the restart.

Indeed, Samir Aliyev almost capitalised on Campbell’s misplaced pass only to stand on the ball, but regained his composure soon afterwards to strike a long-range drive just wide.

And when the ball was chipped through a packed penalty area to Aliyev, Paul Robinson raced off his line to tackle the striker just as he was poised to pounce.

Eriksson took off Jermain Defoe, who was finding it hard going, but it was the more physical figure of Alan Smith, rather than a midfielder, that he brought on.

Indeed, when Jenas also made way, the England coach again showed an adventurous approach in bringing on Shaun Wright-Phillips rather than a defensive midfielder to steady the game.

Azerbaijan nevertheless lacked any composure in front of goal, wasting far too many potential openings with overly ambitious long-range efforts.

It was still England who threatened more, with Lampard seeing a fierce 25-yard free-kick tipped over the bar and Rooney’s dead-ball effort being parried.

Even though the game became scrappier by the minute, the narrow scoreline brought its own pressure and both Butt and Cole were booked.

But when Eriksson introduced another midfielder for Rooney, again the move was hardly defensive, with Joe Cole coming on instead.

Robinson was rather more of an immovable object in helping to tackle a pitch invader and his defence also held out in the closing stages.

Whatever the reasons for his absence, England had won without their captain. He can only trust that it does not set a precedent.