Sport 25-09-2003 Owen Header Rescues Liverpool who: Liverpool what: Draw 1-1 with Olimpija Ljubljana in UEFA Cup where: Slovenia when: Last night snippet: Michael Owen made history by scoring his 21st goal in continental competition to break Ian Rush`s club record "but that was about the only aspect of Liverpool`s evening to follow the anticipated script," says The Guardian. "A tie that should have been a formality has turned into something of an ordeal". "Liverpool fell behind to Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia halfway through the second half when Anton Zlogar pounced on a parry by Jerzy Dudek, the goalkeeper," says The Times. Owen, who had seen a goal disallowed in the 27th minute when he was judged offside, salvaged a point with his header in the 77th. Olimpija, who only scraped into the UEFA Cup by beating Dubliners Shelbourne in the qualifying round, "boldly went forward at every opportunity in search of a major European shock," says The Telegraph. Owen`s "magic strike came from a cross from John Arne Riise and the ball came off his shoulder to fly into the corner," says The Sun. "It leaves Gerard Houllier’s side in the driving seat to make the second round despite coming within 13 minutes of a humiliating defeat." Elsewhere in the UEFA Cup, Southampton drew 1-1 with Steaua Bucharest at St Mary`s, Manchester City beat visiting Lokeren 3-2 and Newcastle United thrashed NAC Breda 5-0 at home but Blackburn Rovers lost 3-1 to Genclerbirligi in Turkey. [... more]

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