England round-up: Liverpool run riot

Misery for Fowler
Fowler, the former Anfield favourite who moved to Leeds for €17.5m in November, endured a miserable afternoon as his England colleague Emile Heskey came to life with two goals to help Liverpool claim a third successive victory that lifts them into third place in the FA Premiership.

Ferdinand own goal
Heskey, who had managed just three league goals this season before kick-off, struck twice in the space of two second-half minutes to add to a 16th-minute own goal by Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand at Elland Road.

Two points off summit
Michael Owen's 21st goal in 29 games in stoppage time completed the rout as Liverpool moved level on 49 points with second-placed Newcastle United FC, just two points below leaders Manchester United FC.

Denied by Dudek
Marshalled superbly by the Liverpool defence, Fowler rarely looked like scoring against his hometown club - for whom he scored 171 goals in 330 appearances during nearly ten years of service. When he did get free in the second half, he saw a penalty appeal waved away by referee Graham Poll and a shot saved brilliantly by Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Middlesbrough held
In Sunday's other game, Middlesbrough FC earned a valuable point as their home match against Charlton Athletic FC finished in a goalless draw. The result sees Middlesbrough remain in 16th place, while Charlton climb one position to eighth.