It's great to score early. You can never score too early and I think we needed that away from home because we haven't scored too many.

I had a chat with Albert before the game, and he asked if he could go home. I haven't got a problem with that and there's nothing sinister in it. He's a very professional person.

Michael saw his specialist on Monday and had a good look at his latest X-rays. He is happy at what he has seen and heard and now it's full steam ahead for him. Things are going well for Michael and he is perhaps a week ahead of where we always thought he would be after his injury.

To suggest Michael Owen has had a setback is ridiculous. We accurately assess what stage players are at during their rehabilitation and Michael Owen is where we thought he would be at this stage of his recovery.

It will be touch and go. Apparently, he's certainly not behind (his recovery) time, if anything he might be a little bit ahead of time.

But Alan was in the dugout and as a future manager one day, I think he enjoyed it. He spoke to the lads in the dressing room. If he doesn't make that, he should be fit for Saturday against Everton.