England continue fine form

Owen struck twice in the first half to become only the fourth player, after Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker to score 40 times for the Three Lions.

A rather less prolific player, Rio Ferdinand, struck his first international goal since the 2002 World Cup six minutes from the end.

So, six months after suffering the worst abuse ever directed at an England manager, Steve McClaren now knows that England require just five points from their remaining three games to qualify, providing one of them comes in the return meeting with Russia next month.

As always in these situations, a slice of luck is required and England got it when the referee ruled Konstantin Zyryanov had handled just before he fired a shot on the turn past Paul Robinson.

Russia thought they had an equaliser and television replays did nothing to undermine their argument. It was definitely a borderline call and thankfully for England, the only man who mattered sided with them.

By that point Owen had scored his first, and the finish from Gareth Barry's cross to give England their seventh-minute advantage was pure class.

John Terry attracted two Russian defenders to Barry's cross like moths to a flame, leaving Owen completely on his own. The Newcastle striker controlled with one touch, then rifled home with a precise second.

Russia's third-choice goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev pulled off an excellent save to turn away Joe Cole's deflected effort immediately after Zyryanov's 'goal' had been ruled out but within minutes he was picking the ball out of his net again.

Heskey got his head to a Ferdinand long ball to send it bouncing into Owen's path, and the Newcastle man sent his volley arrowing into the top corner - and, while Dmitry Sychev twice went close just after the break, Ferdinand ended their miserable night by drilling home near the end.