Michael Owen scored at either end of the first half to make his team mathematically safe from relegation and keep their rivals five points above the bottom three.

Owen broke the deadlock after just four minutes when he rose to head Geremi's deep cross past goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

The England striker then scored his sixth goal in as many league appearances from the penalty spot just before the break, after he exchanged a one-two with Mark Viduka and Danny Higginbotham handled inside the area as he slid in to challenge. Gordon almost managed to save the spot-kick, but the shot was powerful enough to slip under the Scotsman's body and into the back of the net to double the lead.