Liverpool edge out Derby

Owen pounces for Liverpool's opener at Derby

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Derby County 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool started life without Robbie Fowler by cementing their position at the Premiership summit with a win at Derby County.

And it was Michael Owen who eased the fears of Liverpool fans concerned at Fowler's departure to title rivals Leeds United with his 19th goal of the season.

But Liverpool were also grateful to goakeeper Jerzy Dudek, who saved a penalty from Derby's Fabrizio Ravanelli with four minutes left, and gave a brilliant individual performance.

Jerzy Dudek has been outstanding all season - he is very calm and that transmits itself to the players

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson

Owen delivered a timely reminder that Liverpool still possess the country's most potent attacking talent when he pounced on an early error by Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom to score.

Liverpool were forced to hang on for much of the second half - but again showed the resilience required by potential Premiership champions.

Liverpool recalled Owen after he missed the victory against Sunderland after suffering leg spasms.

And he made his mark after five minutes when he gave Liverpool the lead in predatory fashion.

Berger battles for possession

Goalkeeper Poom was the villain of the piece for Derby, fumbling Patrik Berger's shot to the feet of Owen only six yards out, and he needed no second invitation to score with an angled finish.

It gave Liverpool the opportunity to settle into their trademark containing style - but with the ever-present threat of Owen and Berger to keep Derby on alert.

Ravanelli and Benito Carbone battled hard for Derby, but they had no joy in the first half against the formidable red barrier formed by Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz.

Liverpool's only moment of real anxiety in the early stages came when Darryl Powell shot wildly over from close range.

Dudek also had to plunge at the feet of Malcolm Christie - but it was an hour before the Poland international was seriously troubled.

And it signalled the start of a Derby siege on the Liverpool goal.

Owen puts Liverpool ahead

Pierre Ducrocq, on a one-year loan from Paris St Germain, crossed cleverly, but Carbone's shot was inadvertently blocked by his fellow Italian Ravanelli.

And seconds later Dudek dropped low to save from Malcolm Christie as Derby finally established a foothold in the game.

Powell was brilliantly and bravely denied by Dudek after 65 minutes when his shot from eight yards deflected off Henchoz.

I must have driven over too many black cats because we were that unlucky

Derby manager Colin Todd

Derby's passing style belied their Premiership struggles, and they kept Liverpool penned back for most of the second half.

Goalscorer Owen, who had been booked for dissent, was spared the rigours of a full game when he was replaced by Jari Litmanen with nine minutes left.

Derby were given the opportunity to earn the point they deserved when referee Graham Barber pointed to the spot with four minutes left after Emile Heskey handled Ravanelli's header.

But the Italian missed his second successive spot-kick after missing at Newcastle United, shooting too close to Dudek and allowing the goalkeeper to save.

It was Derby's last chance and Liverpool confirmed their status as Premiership pace-setters.

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Derby: Poom, Grenet, Mawene, Riggott, Higginbotham, Zavagno, Ducrocq, Carbone, Powell, Christie, Ravanelli. Subs: Oakes, Burton, Kinkladze, Murray, Boertien.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Berger, Owen, Heskey. Subs: Kirkland, Smicer, McAllister, Wright, Litmanen.

Referee: G Barber (Tring)