"Things weren't ideal but we were playing for our country and our pride meant we didn't want Azerbaijan to pick up anything."
Sven-Goran Eriksson was also delighted that Owen has proved his critics wrong.
"There was a lot of discussion about whether he should play but I thought he did very well on Saturday and again here," said the England coach. "At least today no one can talk about whether he scored or not. He is in very good shape even if he has been playing very little for Real Madrid."
Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole meanwhile, believes Eriksson's choice of young players such as Jermaine Jenas is the way forward.
"The manager is not scared to put them in and that is good for the development of English football," said Cole.
Cole however, does not subscribe to the view that England are almost home and dry.
He said: "Don't forget we drew at home to Macedonia so we have a lot to do yet."
Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was virtually unemployed all night but said: "It wasn't difficult to keep my concentration. That's what I'm there to do."
