Sport 29-11-2002 Owen Gets Reds Back On Track who: Michael Owen what: Scores vital goal to beat Vitesse Arnhem 1-0 where: Gelredome Stadium, Arnhem, Holland when: Yesterday snippet: "This was not the sort of performance that proved their manager Gérard Houllier`s theory that the Anfield side were unlucky to go out of the Champions` League," grumbles The Independent`s Paul Walker after Michael Owen scored the only goal against a poor Vitesse Arnhem side to enhance their UEFA Cup prospects. "Success should have been more emphatic," agrees The Guardian, "with a plethora of opportunities scorned late on, but in the end Liverpool will be grateful for what they have. As it is, the 2001 winners return to Merseyside with a narrow victory behind them and a place in the last 16 surely to come." The match was a useful distraction from the Premier League, reckons The Times - noting in particular how "Jerzy Dudek, saving superbly from Gert Claessens in stoppage time, justified his inclusion, as did Steven Gerrard, who was back to something approaching his best, even from a wide position." With the defence looking back to full strength, Owen`s goal was enough to win the game and took his European total to 18; "it should have been 20" says The Times, adding that "the one chance he did convert came after Gerrard, from his position wide on the right, played the ball in to the feet of Milan Baros. The Czech Republic forward displayed exquisite control, rolling his foot over the ball, before slipping it on for Owen to score his thirteenth goal of the season in clinical fashion." Vitesse`s wayward finishing prompts The Mirror to remark that "if there is a barn door in the vicinity of this stadium then you can bet it is unmarked." Nevertheless, the 1-0 result was a great tonic for Liverpool, insisted Gerard Houllier afterwards: "When you are going through a bad patch you need a good result, and that will work as a vitamin for the coming games," he said. "We have got the perfect one to take into the Manchester United game on Sunday." [... more]

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