London, August 26:

Julio Arca scored a late goal to earn Middlesbrough a 2-2 draw against Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.

Arca controlled a clearance on his chest before scoring in the 80th minute. It was the second time that Middlesbrough had equalised during the match. Mark Viduka had scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 77th.

Newcastle substitute Michael Owen missed the chance to win the match when he sent a free kick from Charles N’Zogbia into the arms of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. N’Zogbia had

scored the opener in the 22nd by cutting inside George Boateng and sending a curling shot past Schwarzer. Ahmed Mido levelled in the 28th. He ran on to a pass from Fabio Rochemback and evaded Steven Taylor’s challenge before rounding Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper.

On Saturday, Arsenal ended the perfect start of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Manchester City manager with a 1-0 win. Chelsea also won 1-0 against Portsmouth to go top of the Premier League.

Spanish La Liga

MADRID: Real Madrid began the post-David Beckham era on Saturday with the man who has taken his number 23 shirt securing a 2-1 derby win over Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu as La Liga resumed.

Wesley Sneijder, who signed this summer from Ajax for $35 million, fired home the winner following a quick Guti freekick. Raul had earlier headed in from a Sergio Ramos cross on 14 minutes to equalise after Argentine prodigy Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero had nodded the visitors in front inside the opening minute.

Raul said he was delighted with the “new” Real, who nonetheless only fielded three of the eight players signed in the close season. UEFA Cup winners Seville opened their campaign with a 4-1 thrashing Getafe while Murcia beat Real Zaragoza 2-1.

Pablo Hernandez netted a brilliant freekick for Getafe in the opening minute but the visitors then had Francisco Sousa and David Cortes red-carded before the break. Second half goals from Jesus Navas, Luis Fabiano, Freddy Kanoute and Alex Kerzhakov completed Sevilla’s win.