THE hat-trick has always been the trademark of the truly great striker, and Liverpool's Michael Owen is on the brink of ending his first full season as a professional as the proud owner of a fantastic treble. The 18-year-old PFA Young Player of the Year became England's youngest full international for decades when he turned out against Chile in February and could become the youngest player ever to finish as the English top-flight's leading goalscorer. Strikes against West Ham and hung-over champions Arsenal in the last seven days have taken Owen to the top of the Premiership scoring charts with 18 goals - one ahead of Blackburn's Chris Sutton and Dion Dublin of Coventry - with only Sunday's trip to Derby County left. Owen said ‘it would be great' to break the record set in 1959 when a 19-year-old Jimmy Greaves finished as Division One's top gun with 33 goals for Chelsea. It's something I want and it would be a nice way to finish off a great season before heading off, hopefully, for the World Cup. A year ago, I would not have thought this could happen. You start thinking what the next target is and the season has just got better and better." Remember, this is a player who only made his full debut 12 months ago, in an end-of-season game at Wimbledon (he scored, naturally), and was expected to be brought along slowly this season. But Owen quickly proved he was a more consistent threat to defences than German import Karlheinz Reidle and, with Robbie Fowler injured, he has become the focal point of the Anfield attack. Too many youngsters with great potential rely on their natural gifts and burn out within a few seasons because they aren't willing to put the work in and build on their inherent ability. Liverpool fans needn't worry about that happening to Owen, whose level-headed dedication have impressed manager Roy Evans and his team-mates as much as his ability. He works extremely hard in training, which is a sign of a player with ambition and a desire to give his best. We have to keep reminding ourselves how old, or rather how young, he is, said Evans. He has a great gift and I have told him he must not abuse it. I have no doubt that he will keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. He has no airs and graces and he has a very good family behind him that is vital for a young player. Owen's Liverpool team-mate, and possible World Cup opponent, Oyvind Leonhardsen added: His speed and quick-thinking give us an enormous edge in any match in which he plays. It is almost frightening to remember that he is still a teenager and is going to get better and better. He gives defenders major headaches when he charges at them - sometimes it is even difficult for his team-mates to keep up with him. Michael can throw defences into sheer panic and then have the option to shoot or set-up someone else. What's it like trying to cope with that sort of explosive pace? Ask team-mate Neil Ruddock, who has faced Owen time and again on Liverpool's training pitch and knows exactly what makes him so deadly: He has natural skill and he can do what other top players can, but he can do it faster. He simply dazzles defenders and he can afford to give them a start and will still reach a loose ball before them. I have never seen a young player like him. England coach Glenn Hoddle seems certain to take Owen to France, if only as a designated substitute - someone to terrify defences with his speed of thought and deed if Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham start to flag. Forget thoughts he could go to the World Cup as some kind of English secret weapon though, Italy boss Cesare Maldini has already picked out the teenager as one of the players to watch this summer. He is an explosive young player who can completely swing a game for you with just one run, confirmed Hoddle. We all got excited when Paul Gascoigne came into the England side, and rightly so. We now have another young man who is very exciting, and the great thing is that he will be around for a very long time. Michael will be a great asset in our future attempts at the World Cup and the European Championships.

THE GOLDEN BOOT WINNERS   1997 Alan Shearer (Newc) 25 goals/age 26 1996 Alan Shearer (B'burn) 31/25 1995 Alan Shearer (B'burn) 34/24 1994 Andy Cole (Newc) 34/22 1993 Teddy Sheringham (Tott) 22/27 1992 Ian Wright (Pal/Ars) 29/28 1991 Lee Chapman (Leeds) 31/31 1990 Gary Lineker (Tott) 24/29 1989 Alan Smith (Ars) 23/26 1988 John Aldridge (Liv) 26/29 1987 Clive Allen (Tott) 33/25 1986 Gary Lineker (Eve) 30/25 1985 Kerry Dixon (Chel) 24/23 Gary Lineker (Leic) 24/24 1984 Ian Rush (Liv) 32/22 1983 Luther Blissett (Wat) 27/25 1982 Kevin Keegan (Soton) 26/31 1981 Peter Withe (Villa) 20/30 Steve Archibald (Tott) 20/24 1980 Phil Boyer (Soton) 23/31 1979 Frank Worthington (Bol) 24/31 1978 Bob Latchford (Eve) 30/27 1977 Malcolm Macdonald (Ars) 25/27 Andy Gray (Villa) 25/21 1976 Ted MacDougall (Nor) 23/29 1975 Malcolm Macdonald (Newc) 21/25 1974 Mick Channon (Sotn) 21/25 1973 Bryan ‘Pop' Robson (WHam) 28/26 1972 Francis Lee (Man C) 33/28 1971 Tony ‘Bomber' Brown (WBA) 28/25 1970 Jeff Astle (WBA) 25/28 1969 Jimmy Greaves (Tott) 27/29 1968 George Best (Man U) 28/21 Ron Davies (Soton) 28/25 1967 Ron Davies (Soton) 37/24 1966 Willie Irvine (B'ley) 29/22 1965 Andy McEvoy (B'burn) 29/26 Jimmy Greaves (Tott) 29/25 1964 Jimmy Greaves (Tott) 35/24 1963 Jimmy Greaves (Tott) 37/23 1962 Ray Crawford (Ips) 33/25 Derek Kevan (WBA) 33/27 1961 Jimmy Greaves (Tott) 41/21 1960 Dennis Viollett (Man U) 32/26 1959 Jimmy Greaves (Chel) 33/19 1958 Bobby Smith (Tott) 36/25 Ages are for the end of that season THE YOUNGEST FIVE Greaves 1959, 19 years 2 months Greaves 1961, 21 years 2 months Gray 1977, 21 years 5 months Best 1968, 21 years 11 months Rush 1984, 22 years 6 months MOST TITLES BY A PLAYER Jimmy Greaves: Six (5 outright) Alan Shearer: Three Gary Lineker: Three Ron Davies: Two MOST TITLES BY A CLUB Tottenham: Ten Southampton: Five Newcastle: Three West Brom: Three Blackburn: Three Arsenal: Three

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