April 25, 2002	Thursday	Safar 11, 1423

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LONDON, April 24: Newcastle United sealed a place in next season’s Champions League after Alan Shearer struck twice to earn the point they needed with a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers in the English premier league Tuesday.

Fourth-placed Newcastle twice fell behind to goals from their former players Keith Gillespie and Andy Cole at Ewood Park.

But Shearer, the league’s all-time leading scorer, became also got in the act against a former side with goals after 63 and 71 minutes as Newcastle earned a Champions League third qualification round spot at the expense of Chelsea.

Gillespie fired Blackburn into a 28th-minute lead with a low shot under Newcastle keeper Shay Given. Shearer levelled from close range after 62 minutes, then, after Cole had turned in Gillespie’s cross to restore the home side’s lead on 67 minutes, he pounced again with a clinical finish from Lauren Robert’s pass four minutes later to restore parity.

The result leaves Blackburn, who moved up one place to 15th in the standings, still fighting against relegation.

Fulham ensured their top-flight survival with a 3-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers in the night’s one other premier league game.

Bjarne Goldbaek, Steve Marlet and Barry Hayles got the goals at Craven Cottage which mean Wanderers, just two places above the relegation zone, still need three points from their two remaining games to beat the drop to the first division.—Reuters

Blackburn Rovers 2, Newcastle United 2

Fulham 3, Bolton Wanderers 0