Manchester, March 20

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as Newcastle United prevented northeast rivals Sunderland from escaping the Premier League relegation zone in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Seeking a seventh successive win over Newcastle, Sunderland took the lead in the 44th minute at St James’ Park when Jermain Defoe volleyed home left-footed after Rob Elliot had parried a shot from Fabio Borini. But with seven minutes remaining, Georginio Wijnaldum crossed for Serbian striker Mitrovic to score with a downward header, sparing Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez from defeat in his first home game and keeping both teams in the bottom three.

In the day’s other early game, Sadio Mane scored twice — and squandered a penalty — as Southampton checked Liverpool’s charge towards the top four by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St Mary’s. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool went 2-0 up inside 22 minutes, Philippe Coutinho curling in a fine effort from 25 yards and Divock Origi teeing up Daniel Sturridge to score.

Mane, a half-time replacement for Dusan Tadic, saw a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet in the second half after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to have fouled Graziano Pelle. But Mane sped past Mamadou Sakho to reduce the arrears and after Pelle equalised with a vicious shot in the 83rd minute, the Italian freed Mane to run through and score an 86th-minute winner.

Barca extend lead

MADRID: Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points despite blowing a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Villarreal on Sunday. Ivan Rakitic and a controversial Neymar penalty had Barca on course for a 13th consecutive La Liga win before half-time. Yet, Villarreal were more than worthy of a point and got their reward after the break through Cedric Bakambu and Jeremy Mathieu’s own goal. On Saturday, Sporting Gijon scored twice in the final 11 minutes to deliver a huge blow to Atletico Madrid’s title challenge with a 2-1 win.