"...what matters is that we won the championship...and I must say the young lad overwhelmed me completely..."
Nobody suspected anything at the start of the season, but what a relevation young Michael Owen was, for the new champions - the Reds of Liverpool. Owen was a mere trainee, a schoolboy with aspirations, and one who had cleaned the mud off Fowler's boots six months before his debut for the senior team. However, there was enough evidence even at such a tender age for Evans to pick him for his eventual debut season which resulted in Owen's first Championship medal.
"...I'm not giving my pride a say here...but Michael Owen deserved this...he was outstanding today..."
Owen was an unknown who had to be drafted into the squad because of Fowler's injury. Liverpool was in a bad run prior to Owen's inclusion - twelve matches and only nineteen points. Ahead of the Reds were five teams chasing the leader, the reds of Manchester United. Diehards had begun to wonder whether Evans would survive another inquisition, but he proved the critics wrong with possibly the best trick any manager could have conjured up. Young Owen repaid his faith with a hat-trick in his debut and five more goals in the next eight matches. The Reds fans were overjoyed. Liverpool had clamoured itself back into the chasing pack of Championship contenders and Owen was nothing short of a miracle for Liverpool, and some even wondered his prospects for the England team.
"The lad got a good chance, so do many others...but Owen has definitely got the eye for goals...definitely"
England had probably found a new hero in the young Owen. He was the only outstanding English player in a night of shame for the host at Wembley. Hoddle was greatly displeased at his stalwarts' performance but had commended Owen on a creditable debut. Reds' fans were utterly delighted. Ince was the lone Red turning out regularly for England while McManaman was only offered sporadic chances to don the English jersey. Redknapp and Fowler seem destined to fall by the wayside due to injuries. Liverpool fans had found a new idol, and so did other admirers.
"...I'm glad old Roy gave me this opportunity and I'm fighting to the end for the Reds...we are seriously in contention now..."
How right Owen was when he made those comments after Liverpool's victory over Manchester United, for the title was genuinely within their grasp with two matches left. Only Arsenal could possibly snatch the Championship away from the Reds and Owen was determined to stop that. Boosted by his Premiership's Young Player of the Year Award as well as his leading goals standing of a glorious 20, Owens displayed the play and and confidence unlike a player in his debut season and Liverpool trashed Bolton Wanderers 5-0, Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds United 3-2 in their penultimate match to climb within one point of Liverpool. Hence, it was all down to the last day of the season, and Liverpool played like true champions with class and grit. A big win for Arsenal against West Ham in their last match eventually meant nothing...The Championship is back in Anfield with a 3-0 victory against Derby and what a debut for young Michael Owen... ...
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