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52 NEWCASTLE manager Ra- fael Benitez inspired another second-half comeback but the Magpies remain rooted in the Barclays Premier League relega- tion zone after a 2-2 draw at his former club Liverpool. Benitez is still fondly remem- bered at Anfield for the 2005 Champions League final when the Reds recovered from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan, but Sat- urday's stirring revival was not so welcome on Merseyside. Daniel Sturridge's second- minute strike and a second goal from Adam Lallana seemed cer- tain to send Jurgen Klopp's men into their Europa League clash against Villarreal with a win. But Papiss Cisse reduced the deficit shortly after half-time then Jack Colback 's def lected shot made it 2-2 in the 66th minute, sealing a surprise point for the visitors which could yet prove invaluable. Manchester City built up for their upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid with a 4-0 win over Stoke. Fernando's header and a Sergio Aguero penalty put City 2-0 up at the break before Kelechi Ihea- nacho's double sealed his side's move back up to third place in the table. Manuel Pellegrini clearly had Europe on his mind as he left Kevin De Bruyne on the bench while Vincent Kompany was left out of the matchday squad com- pletely. But his gamble proved worth- while with Fernando nodding in the opener then Aguero making sure from the spot after Iheana- cho was hauled down by Ryan Shawcross. Iheanacho's double sealed a bad day for the Potters, who had confirmed before kick-off Ibra- him Afellay is set to be ruled out until next year due to a knee lig- ament injury sustained in train- ing. Aston Villa's dismal season went from bad to worse as they crashed to a 4-2 home defeat to Southampton amid a poisonous atmosphere at Villa Park. The already-relegated hosts were booed onto the pitch and a pair of defensive blunders let in Shane Long and Dusan Tadic to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. Tadic bagged his second after the break and Sadio Mane added a fourth at the death, with only Ashley Westwood 's double spar- ing the home side outright hu- miliation. Cesc Fabregas had a hand in all the goals as Chelsea eased to a 4-1 win at Bournemouth. A superb pair of through-balls set up Pedro and Eden Hazard fired home the second before Tommy Elphickbrief ly reduced the deficit for the Cherries be- fore the break. Fabregas was again instrumen- tal in the second half as he set up the third for Willian and a late fourth for Hazard. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 APRIL 2016 Sport FOOTBALL Newcastle fight back for Anfield draw Newcastle came from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw at Liverpool Newcastle's Jack Colback celebrates scoring his sides equaliser Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates