Michael Owen, a national hero after his World Cup heroics, found himself cast as a villain as Liverpool cruised to victory over Port Vale.

Port Vale players and fans alike accused him of diving to win a first half penalty that set Liverpool on their way to comfortable FA Cup third round win.

And the 19-year-old found himself suffering terrace abuse probably for the first time in his life.

Those same fans were no doubt delighted when Owen's pace won a penalty for England back in the World Cup Finals, but on this occasion he found himself pilloried for exposing Vale's lack of pace at the back.

But the world's top defenders can't cope with Owen's sensational pace, and certainly Vale journeymen like Paul Beesley and Dave Barnett didn't have a prayer.

Owen shrugged aside all the booing to score from the spot and terrorised Vale throughout, before setting up a third goal for substitute Robbie Fowler in the last minute.

It was a comprehensive victory in the end, and marked Liverpool's fourth successive win as they rebuild their season, shattered by so much troubles in '98.

The penalty also marked a milestone for Owen. He was making his first ever FA Cup appearance, and has now scored on his debut for the club in all three English domestic competitions as well as in Europe.

Vale, crippled by injuries and illness, brought in 20-year-old midfielder Neil Brisco, signed on a free from Manchester City in the summer, for his first ever senior match.

John Rudge's boys, with an impressive giant killing pedigree after putting out Spurs, Derby, Southampton and Everton over the years, were spurred on by a full house and striker Tony Naylor gave Liverpool lots of trouble.

But after those some early worries Liverpool gained a measure of control by spreading the play. Patrik Berger created an opening for Owen - Kevin Pilkington saving at his feet - and Jamie Redknapp turned and lashed a 20 yarder just wide.

Owen had been destroying Paul Beesley with his pace and quick turns, and the big defender was booked after 32 minutes for clattering the England kid from behind.

That angered the Vale camp, who felt Owen made a meal of the situation. A minute later Owen was sent spinning in the box by Barnett after skipping past Beesley, and Oxford referee Rob Harris gave a penalty. Cue more terrace abuse for Owen.

There seemed little other option for the official, but Vale fans howled their rage at Owen, who shut out all the abuse to strike the penalty past Pilkington.

Phil Babb had a header cleared off the line by Brian McGlinchey before Liverpool got their second. Berger's free kick was nodded on by Babb for Paul Ince to head home.

The game turned a little nasty at this point and McGlinchey was booked for a foul on Jason McAteer, and Karlheinz Riedle was also yellow carded for felling Brisco.

In the last minute of the half, Beesley looked to bring down the sprinting Owen again, but the referee waved play on and the Vale player escaped what could have easily been a red card.

Brave Vale hit back after the break and an Ian Bogie 30-yarder soared over the bar, and then, after 57 minutes, the Vale midfielder saw a goalbound shot hit Steve Staunton in the six yard box.

Allen Tankard then created a great opening with a long ball that put Naylor clear but Babb produced a superb saving tackle in the box that left him no margin for error.

Owen's pace was still giving Vale defenders nightmares, and Barnett wasbooked for a clumsy lunge at the Liverpool lad after 53 minutes.

Fowler replaced Riedle on the hour and had two great chances to really bury Vale, but both flashed into the side netting.

Fowler finally got onto the scoresheet in the last minute. Owen cut in from the left by nutmegging Michael Walsh and laid the ball into the six yard box for Fowler to lash home.

Liverpool had by now taken the sting out of the First Division side with some solid possession play, and never looked like losing their grip.

Teams:

Port Vale: Pilkington, Walsh, Tankard, Beesley (Horlaville 70), Barnett, Aspin, Brisco (O'Callaghan 87), Bogie, Beadle, Naylor, McGlinchey (Corden 84).

Subs Not Used: Musselwhite, Snijders.

Booked: Beesley, McGlinchey, Barnett, Brisco.

Liverpool: James, McAteer, Staunton, Babb, Owen, Redknapp, Riedle (Fowler 61), Berger, Ince, Bjornebye (Harkness 70), Carragher.

Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Friedel, Thompson.

Booked: Riedle.

Goals: Owen 34 pen, Ince 38, Fowler 90.

Att: 16,557

Ref: R Harris (Oxford).