Owen delighted with first goal - and so are we…Liverpool held but Rafa's pleased…Sam's Bolton bombshell…we want to be perfect, says Jewell!
Michael Owen was quick to praise his England colleagues after scoring his first goal for Real Madrid in the 1-0 Champions League victory against Dynamo Kiev. The former Liverpool striker converted Ronaldo's 35th minute and the result sees Madrid join Kiev and Bayer Leverkusen on six points in Group B.
"It's been a fantastic night and going away with England probably helped me do that," said Owen. "Being back with my mates has given me a lot of confidence. I've come back to Spain with a fresh spring in my step."
Owen added: "This was a massive game, so to score the winner in front of your home fans in a Champions League match was a great feeling. I just wish my timing could have been a bit better, in that maybe I could have scored it a little sooner."
Rafael Benitez was left frustrated after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw against Deportivo at Anfield. The Reds completely dominated this Group A contest, but were unable to break through a stubborn Spanish rearguard.
Deportivo goalkeeper Jose Molina made a string of fine saves, twice denying Djibril Cisse and also denying Milan Baros and Luis Garcia.
"We played very well. We had many opportunities and did not score, but the team played very well," said Benitez. "If you play like that you cannot ask for anything more, the only thing we did wrong was that we didn't score. It was important to win, but we could not and now we need to win away from home."
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted the possibility of managing England or a major club would be 'difficult to resist'.
Allardyce, who celebrated his 50th birthday by agreeing a new five-year deal at the Reebok after five years in charge already, said: "Without wanting to upset the fans or the chairman, you have to understand it would be possible impossible to resist. Everyone would have to look at it sensibly and think how often something comes your way in a lifetime."
Wigan boss Paul Jewell is determined to keep his players' feet firmly on the ground, despite the Latics stretching their lead at the top of the table to three points, following last night's 4-1 victory against Crewe. While acknowledging his side's impressive start to the campaign, Jewell stressed that he will only be content when Wigan win promotion to the Premiership.
"We have been playing well but you have to be careful when you start patting yourself on the back," said Jewell. "I was having a gripe in the dressing room that we conceded a goal because that was disappointing - but I think that is the measure of where we are.
"We want to be perfect - although you never are, but even when you play as well as we have you can always do better."
