EMILE Heskey  thought he had killed off the theory that he was a striker who did not strike.

Last summer, nursing three winner's medals, he knew he had contributed 22 goals in 56 games for Liverpool - and that the ' goalshy' tag that had followed him from Leicester was dead and buried.

Then it all came back to haunt him this term with a barren run of 20 matches for club and country, dating back to his goal in England's 5-1 win in Germany on September 1.

But all that was put behind him with the power header which sent Liverpool two points clear at the top of the FA Barclaycard Premiership thanks to their 1-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday - 50 minutes of which was a backs-to-the-wall battle with just 10 men.

A relieved Heskey said: "I'm just happy to get the goal. It's been a while coming, but the lads have faith in my all-round ability to perform."

Although the goals have been missing, the muscular front-man has never once been doubted by club or colleagues - such is his selfless running for others which left caretaker manager Phil Thompson crediting him with much of the work behind Michael Owen's golden streak.

"Emile's performances have been high-quality - all he needed was a goal. He was magnificent against Sunderland," said Thompson.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson knows that too. Heskey has always been his number one target man and he will without question be asked to lead the line in the heat of next summer's World Cup finals.

Thompson added: "Emile was superb. Total concentration for 90 minutes.

"He showed ability to hold the ball up as a lone front man.

"Nobody was happier than the players that it was Emile who scored.

"The players were clapping and cheering when he came back into the dressing room - that's how they feel and that's what is special about this club.

"It is what the boss has put into this club, the togetherness and the bonding, and you can't take that away from them."

The difference between last season and this for Heskey is that when he did not always figure on the goal charts it was his price tag that was called into question, along with Gerard Houllier's wisdom in splashing out so much.

Now Liverpool and England know the value of Heskey's power, pace and sheer brute strength against the best defenders around.

Heskey said: "The goalscoring record of late was in the back of my mind, but I was never down about it.

"The people at Liverpool are always talking to me and always telling me I am doing a good job even when the goals aren't going in.

"It was a weight off my shoulders, though, to see the ball hit the net. It was a good free-kick from Danny Murphy and a straightforward header. We had to dig deep to get the result, but I think we deserved the three points."

Even Sunderland boss Peter Reid conceded that point, after his side had failed to break down the Liverpool defence.

Thompson is dismissive of claims that Liverpool are only a counter-attacking team - even if that is how they were forced, unashamedly, to play against

Sunderland after Dietmar Hamann's dismissal.

The German will now miss three games against Fulham, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Thompson insisted: "They didn't let me or anyone else down. It showed the team unity of what Gerard has built up at this club.

"The willingness to work for others. Gerard has always said that if this team wants something badly enough, because of their

spirit, they can get it. They can win things, and nobody can beat them.

"Of all the games since Gerard was taken ill, Sunderland was the one that underlined the character. Down to 10 men for so long, we showed character and spirit - and that is what Gerard has put into this club.

"Our European experiences helped. We have shown we can be resolute - that's how the players react."

Liverpool believe they will have Michael Owen back for Saturday's trip to Derby. He was rested after complaining of tightness in the back of his leg, having suffered what was claimed to be cramp in the final seconds of the Barcelona defeat.

Thompson said: "Michael is fine. He trained on Thursday and Friday but on Saturday he came in and said the back of his leg was stiff. The doctor examined him and said his thigh had gone into spasm.

"We decided that if he was not going to play then it's no good just putting him on the substitutes' bench for the last 20 minutes, so we decided to rest him to be ready for next Saturday."

* OWEN, meanwhile, has signed a sponsorship deal with sports drinks company Lucozade, a partnership that may serve his country well in next summer's World Cup finals.

Owen will work alongside the company's experts on humidity to get the best possible preparation for the anticipated conditions in Japan and South Korea.