Liverpool replaced Manchester United as leaders of the English Premiership and consigned Derby to First Division football next season with a 2-0 win over John Gregory's men at Anfield on Saturday.
Defeat for Derby, their 23rd league defeat this campaign, saw them relegated from the top flight after five seasons in the Premiership.
Manchester United had taken top spot earlier Saturday after beating Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, and the lead could change hands for a third time on Sunday if title favourites Arsenal beat strugglers Ipswich.
Owen, who has taken over as England captain in the absence of injured skipper David Beckham and scored in the 4-0 win over Paraguay in midweek, rounded off a memorable week by scoring both goals for Liverpool.
The 22-year-old striker scored his first in the 16th minute, picking up Vladimir Smicer's pass before neatly clipping the ball over Derby goalkeeper Andy Oakes.
Owen doubled his tally in the last minute, latching onto Emile Heskey's angled pass before taking the ball past Oakes and rolling the ball home.
Manchester United kept the pressure on leaders Liverpool and Arsenal with a comfortable 3-0 win over Chelsea in the early match at Stamford Bridge.
A stunning shot from Paul Scholes and a close range effort from Ruud van Nistelrooy gave United a two-goal first-half lead before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer grabbed a late third for the visitors.
While United's victory keeps the pressure on their title rivals, defeat for Chelsea virtually ended their hopes of clinching a place in next season's Champions League.
United boss Alex Ferguson admitted Arsenal remain firm favourites to win the title but was hopeful that Ipswich might do his side a favour at Highbury on Sunday.
"Anthing can happen in football - we've done our job today and the form of the team is fabulous," he said.
"Ipswich are fighting for their lives and they will be looking for a result at Highbury that could save them from relegation."
United midfielder Nicky Butt, playing his eighth consecutive game, admitted the destiny of the championship is still out of their hands.
"This time of year we can only go out and win all our games and hope that the other teams will slip up," he said.
"We're confident in our ability and we went out and showed how good we are today, and as long as we keep winning we could still win the league yet."
Chelsea defender John Terry made no excuses for his side's lacklustre performance and complimented United on an impressive display.
"We were poor today but all credit to United - they were superb," said the England under-21 international.
Newcastle are on the brink of clinching fourth place and a place in next season's Champions League next season after beating Charlton 3-0 at St James's Park where Alan Shearer netted his 200th league goal.
Wales international Gary Speed put the Magpies in front in the 22nd minute with a bullet header and Lomana Tresor Lua Lua added a second just after half-time.
Shearer rattled home his landmark goal a minute from time.
Fulham eased their relegation worries with a crucial 1-0 win at sixth-placed Leeds, Frenchman Steed Malbranque scoring the decisive goal seven minutes after the interval.
Blackburn Rovers edged closer to safety with a vital 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.
Jorge Yordi scored the opening goal just after the half hour mark, tucking home into an unguarded net after Republic of Ireland international had opened up the Boro defence with some dazzling footwork.
Andy Cole claimed Rovers' second goal 16 minutes from time and a David Dunn penalty seven minutes from the end put the game beyond doubt.
Szilard Nemeth scored a late consolation goal for Middlesbrough who also had French defender Franck Queudrue sent off.
Honours were even at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton and Tottenham played out a 1-1 draw.
Norwegian striker Steffen Iversen gave Tottenham an eighth minute lead only for Dean Holdsworth to level the scores 19 minutes from the end.
West Ham continued their impressive home form with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland.
Trevor Sinclair fired the Hammers into a 28th minute lead, before Northern Ireland international Steve Lomas and youngster Jermain Defoe sealed the Londoners' 11th league win at Upton Park this season.
The midlands derby ended all square at Filbert Street where relegated Leicester were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa.
Muzzy Izzet's penalty put Leicester ahead but Villa stormed into a 2-1 lead thanks to goals from England striker Darius Vassell and German Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Leicester substitute Jon Stevenson earned a point for Mickey Adams' men by netting the equaliser for the Foxes.
In Saturday's late match only pride is at stake as Southampton entertain Everton at St Mary's.
AFP