Late goal earns Rafael Benitez first point

Aleksandar Mitrovic ended Newcastle’s miserable derby run against Sunderland with a late equaliser which left both clubs still in Premier League relegation trouble.

The Serbia international struck with an 83rd-minute header to cancel out Jermain Defoe’s first-half opener and deny the Black Cats a seventh successive victory in the fixture in front of a raucous crowd of 52,311 at St James’ Park.

In the process, he handed new manager Rafael Benitez a first point since he replaced Steve McClaren, but a 1-1 draw was less than either side needed and both remain inside the relegation zone and in severe danger of slipping into the Championship.