LONDON, Aug 17: Two-goal Alan Shearer scored a late equaliser to give Newcastle United a deserved 2-2 draw at Leeds in their opening game of the premier league season on Sunday.

The 33-year-old former England captain, who had put Newcastle ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, poked the ball home in the 88th minute to secure a point after Mark Viduka and Alan Smith had given Leeds a 2-1 advantage.

Goals by Nicolas Anelka, Antoine Sibierski and Chinese international Sun Jihai gave Manchester City a fine 3-0 victory at Charlton Athletic, who had South African defender Mark Fish sent off in the second half.

Big-spending Chelsea, having splashed over 70 million pounds ($112 million) on new players in the close season, were due to face Liverpool at Anfield later on Sunday. Champions Manchester United and rivals Arsenal both got off to winning starts on Saturday. United thrashed Bolton 4-0 and Arsenal won 2-1 against Everton despite having Sol Campbell sent off.

Sunday’s results:

Charlton Athletic 0 Manchester City 3

Leeds United 2 Newcastle United 2

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2

Played on Saturday:

Arsenal 2 Everton 1

Birmingham City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Blackburn Rovers 5 W. Wanderers 1

Fulham 3 Middlesbrough 2

Leicester City 2 Southampton 2

Manchester United 4 Bolton Wanderers 0

Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 1

—Reuters