Michael Owen has risked further wrath from Newcastle United fans by choosing his 1998 hat-trick against the Magpies as his favourite Premier League moment. There is no love lost between the 42-year-old and Toon supporters following comments in his 2019 autobiography Reboot.
An already frosty relationship after four injury-ravaged years on Tyneside became unrepairable, with Owen calling Newcastle fans “delusional” while admitting to resenting their support. The former England striker even admitted he “hated” the latter years of his career and regularly relished retirement.
Magpies legend Alan Shearer infamously fell out with Owen, accusing his former teammate turned player of feigning injury ahead of D-Day at Villa Park in May 2009. The Newcastle icon believes Owen’s focus was to remain injury-free so he could secure a move in the summer - an allegation he denies.
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Now, the former Liverpool striker has taken another swipe at the Magpies while talking to the Premier League. To honour the competition’s 30th anniversary, star players from across all three decades have listed their all-time greatest moment.
Despite spending a quarter of his career at St James’ Park, Owen listed his performance against Newcastle in 1998 as his finest hour. The then 18-year-old - who bagged another hat-trick against United later in his career - terrorised Sir Bobby Robson’s side as the Reds coasted to a 4-1 victory.
Owen said: "I've got so many great memories. It (the Premier League) attracts the best players from around the world. Scoring the hat-trick for Liverpool against Newcastle is right up there, just because there was a lot of pressure at the time and I was only 18."
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