Alan Shearer spared Newcastle United of embarrassment with a late equalising goal as they drew 2-2 with Leeds United in the two side's first game of the new English Premier league season on Sunday. The Newcastle captain had opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Leeds went 2-1 ahead with goals from Mark Viduka and Alan Smith. Shearer netted his second goal of the game in the 88th minute though and Leeds had to hang on to earn a valuable point. Leeds United are expected to be battling to remain in the English Premier league this season. But Peter Reid's financially troubled side made a bright start to their first game of the season against Newcastle United on Sunday. Lamine Sakho picked out Mark Viduka in the Newcastle penalty area 15 minutes into the match and the Australian teed up a chance for Alan Smith. But firebrand forward Smith shot over Shay Given's crossbar. Newcastle's abundance of pace in attack led to the opening goal of the game - referee Alan Riley awarding the visitors a penalty after Lucas Radebe tripped Kieron Dyer. The ever-dependable Shearer took the penalty kick and sent goalkeeper Paul Robinson the wrong way to make it 1-0 in the 20th minute. However, the score was levelled just four minutes later. Impressive debutant Sakho chested Jody Morris's floated pass into the Newcastle penalty area and Mark Viduka delayed his run before beating Given with the outside of his foot from 16 yards out. Newcastle then gifted Leeds the lead 12 minutes into the second half after Olivier Bernard headed Robinson's half cleared goal kick towards his own net. Alan Smith read the situation perfectly and controlled the ball before coolly slotting it past Given. Newcastle upped the tempo though, and only a desperate clearance from Radebe denied Shearer his second goal of the game in the 84th minute. Leeds would finally succumb to a sustained spell of pressure from Bobby Robson's side four minutes later. A defensive mix-up between Zoumana Camara and Radebe saw the ball fall to the feet of Shearer near the penalty spot and the Newcastle captain slid in to level the score. The visitors continued to attack throughout the four minutes of injury-time, but Leeds hung on to take a valuable point from the 2-2 draw. (AP)
Leeds, Newcastle share spoils
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