Michael Owen is in top form as he scored a brace for England at Wembley while Rio Ferdinand grabbed the third goal for England as the cruised past Russia in the Euro 2008 Qualifier.

The result - on the back of a 3-0 win against Israel - moves England into second place in qualifying Group E, and in good shape to reach Euro 2008 along with leaders Croatia.

Owen meanwhile is in great company in the 40 goals or more club for England and will be looking to beat Bobby Charlton’s all-time England record of 49 goals, and if he does that he will also pass Gary Lineker (48 goals) and Jimmy Greaves (44) in the process.

That’s just 9 goals to go and Owen is just 27-years-old, you would think that he will break the record and set a higher one before he retires from international footy.Newcastle fans will be rejoicing and hoping that Owen’s form continues at club level.

With big names such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Gary Neville all missing, it was their direct replacements - Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emile Heskey, Gareth Barry and Micah Richards - who provided much of England’s impetus.

Injured and 5,000 miles away, Beckham might wonder if his international career might be over after all following the superb displays of Wright-Phillips.

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