BACK PAGE: 2000

MICHAEL OWEN’S week from hell ended with the Liverpool striker in hospital suffering from concussion after a bloody collision on the pitch. Owen was part of the England team that lost a crucial World Cup qualifier 1-0 at Wembley against Germany. He was then axed by the Three Lions’ caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson for a dismal goalless draw against Finland. Finally he needed six stitches in a head wound after Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Derby. His injured England colleagues, David Beckham and Gary Neville, watched Manchester United win from the away end at Leicester.