Owen carries England to big win over Russia

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09/12/2007 - London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - England put together its best match under Steve McClaren on Wednesday as Michael Owen scored twice to lead the Three Lions to a 3-0 win over Russia at Wembley Stadium.

Owen tallied goals in the seventh and 31st minute, giving him 40 goals for his England career. Rio Ferdinand then added an insurance marker in the 84th for his first international goal since 2002.

The win propels England into second place in Group E, after they started Saturday's contest against Israel in fourth. England is now a good bet to secure qualification, and they can all but assure it with another win against the Russians next month.

The hosts had a dream start as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead after seven minutes. Gareth Barry provided the cross and Owen was left open at the back post. He settled the ball with one touch and then fired past the keeper with an easy finish.

After Russia had a goal taken away because of a questionable call, England took advantage and added another goal on an innocent looking play. Ferdinand played a long ball out of the back, but striker Emile Heskey did well to beat a pair of defenders to the ball and head it into Owen's path. The Newcastle striker once again finished with precision, driving the ball first time past the keeper.

The visitors tried to get back into the match after halftime, and although Dmitry Sychev came close on a few occasions to getting Russia on the board, the day belonged to England.

Ferdinand capped off the impressive performance by knocking home England's third goal, much to the delight of the Wembley faithful.

McClaren has come under some heavy scrutiny over this qualifying campaign, but the end is in sight for an England team that seems to be coming together at the right time. Despite injuries to David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard, less heralded players like Barry and Heskey have stepped up, and Shaun Wright-Phillips has shown that he certainly belongs in the starting 11 with his quality play over the past couple of games.

The return to form of Owen has been the biggest difference for an England team that struggled to find goals earlier in qualification. If this team can continue its current form, they will be a handful not only for the rest of their group, but also for the rest of Europe.

Group E's other contests on Wednesday featured Croatia holding onto its top spot with an easy 6-0 win over Andorra and Macedonia playing to a 1-1 draw with Estonia.

The top two teams in Group A, Poland and Finland, finished 0-0, Kazakhstan rallied to tie Belgium 2-2 and Portugal allowed Serbia to draw level in the second half of their 1-1 draw.

Scotland surprisingly moved to the top of Group B with a hard-fought 1-0 win over France, while Italy moved into second place with a 2-1 triumph over Ukraine. Lithuania got the best of the Faroe Islands 2-1 in the group's other encounter.

Bosnia-Herzegovina suffered a damaging defeat to lowly Moldova in 1-0 fashion in Group C. Norway and Greece played to a 2-2 draw in their top-of-the-table clash, while Turkey joined Norway in second place with a 3-0 win over Hungary.

The Czech Republic secured a big 1-0 win over Ireland to put six points between themselves and the Irish for the final qualifying spot from Group D. Wales downed Slovakia 5-2 in an entertaining affair, while Cyprus beat a hopeless San Marino side 3-0.

In Group F, Northern Ireland dropped more points with a costly 2-1 loss to Iceland, leaving Northern Ireland three points behind the top two clubs, Spain and Sweden. Spain moved up and into the second spot with a 2-0 win over Latvia on Wednesday. Denmark kept its hopes of qualification alive with a 4-0 win over last-place Liechtenstein, but the Danes are still five points adrift.

The Netherlands got a goal in the final minute to slip past Albania 1-0 and move into a first-place tie with Romania, who did not play on Wednesday. Bulgaria stayed two points back of the leaders by defeating Luxembourg 3-0 and Slovenia got the better of Belarus 1-0.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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