B International/England 3 Albania 1:Michael Owen may have been upstaged by Alan Smith and Stewart Downing on his England return but Steve McClaren's star striker still did enough at Turf Moor to have his name inked in for the vital Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia on June 6th.
Smith opened the scoring in a comfortable win over Albania, with Downing netting a double either side of the break.
It was Owen's contribution that really interested McClaren though, with England's all-time fourth top scorer completing a precious 90 minutes in his usual energetic manner that will leave his coach hoping he will be back to his best when his country really needs him in 12 days' time.
The Newcastle forward's best opportunity came early on, when he side-footed Aaron Lennon's cross wide from 10 yards. He was also close to getting on the end of a couple of crosses, although Owen's desire to score was not desperate enough to prevent him setting up Downing's second.
With all the Chelsea, Liverpool and - with the exception of Smith - Manchester United contingent, plus Owen Hargreaves, missing from the squad McClaren will announce tomorrow lunchtime, it was fairly obvious which starters needed to impress.
Lennon was one. Unfortunately, the Tottenham winger lasted only nine minutes before he limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Lennon's only serious involvement was the chance he provided for Owen. Under pressure from Blerim Rustemaj as he crossed, Lennon immediately signalled to the bench his night was over.
McClaren will clearly need to assess the injuryt, the loss of one of his main wide men only makes a positive outcome more likely for the Real Madrid man.
As Wayne Rooney is suspended for the key qualifier in Tallinn and only Peter Crouch can be regarded as a plausible alternative among the many players not here, as well as Owen, there was a lot riding on Smith's performance too.
Smith's strength was evident long before he put England ahead in fine style, striding on to Barry's excellent lay-off and driving his shot into the bottom corner.
The combination with Owen was working well and within three minutes, McClaren's men had a second, the presence of England's senior striker bringing a mistake out of Albania goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj, who complained long and hard after Lennon's replacement Downing had drilled a volley straight past him.
Arguably, the most entertaining player on the pitch came from the visiting ranks in the form of wide-man Besart Berisha.
The Hamburg player had already rattled Scott Carson's crossbar with a left-footed strike when he cut in off the wing, beat Ledley King and then smashed a right-footed shot into the net.
Owen's search for a goal went on but he was the supplier for England's next with Downing supplying the neat finish.
ENGLAND B: Carson, Neville (Jagielka 46), Dawson, King, Shorey (Lescott 73), Bentley (Defoe 72), Jenas, Barry (Taylor 64), Lennon (Downing 10), Owen, Smith (Dyer 64). Subs not used: Green, Nugent. Goals: Smith 34, Downing 37, 58.
ALBANIA: Beqaj (Hidi 78), Vangeli, Dede, Rrustemi, Haxhi (Ahmataj 79), Bulku, Skela (Hyka 75), Duro (Vrapi 65), Berisha, Muka (Murati 46), Bushi (Sinani 72). Subs not used: Xhafa. Goal: Berisha 44.
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy).
