Michael Owen insists "no blame" should fall on Robert Green's shoulders for England's 1-1 draw with the USA.
United striker backs maligned shot-stopper after USA blunder
Michael Owen insists "no blame" should fall on Robert Green's shoulders for England's failure to beat the United States.
Green has been the subject of fierce criticism after allowing Clint Dempsey's 25-yard shot to slip from his grasp and trickle over the line for USA's equaliser in the Three Lions' opening World Cup Group C fixture in Rustenburg on Saturday night.
The West Ham goalkeeper has apologised to his team-mates and supporters for his clanger which cancelled out Steven Gerrard's fourth minute opener.
But Manchester United striker Owen believes Green does not deserve to take all the stick as Fabio Capello's side failed to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Writing for
The Telegraph, Owen - who has featured in three World Cups for England - said: "I know Rob walked into the dressing room and held his hands up.
"I wouldn't have felt the need to apologise if I was him. He was just trying to stop a ball that squirmed around.
"I'm all for accepting responsibility but if I got into positions as a striker, and missed three or four chances, I have never come in and said to the lads: 'Sorry, the defeat was my fault, I should have scored all those chances'. That happens. That's life. There's no blame.
"Rob would have walked in to the dressing room, felt everybody looking at him, and thought the world has collapsed around him.
"He won't be able to think straight. Even if he has a great game in the next match he would be tarred for the rest of the tournament certainly and, potentially, for the rest of his career for something I wouldn't blame him for.
"If he plays against Algeria, the senior players must pretend the US goal never happened when talking to Rob.
"Don't mention it. Just look forward to the next game, take his mind off it as much as possible.
"No professional would blame Robert Green for what happened. That's what happens on the world stage."
