AA wrap: Viduka saves Magpies blushes

Qantas Socceroo Mark Viduka has saved the blushes of Newcastle United, with a late equaliser at home against bottom side Derby County.

Qantas Socceroo Mark Viduka has saved the blushes of Newcastle United, with a late equaliser at home against bottom side Derby County.

Derby looked set for only its second win of the season, but Viduka, who had earlier leveled the scores up in the first half, fired a shot home with three minutes of normal time remaining to earn the Magpies a disappointing point.

Starting in his first game since returning a month ago, Viduka scored in the 27th minute, drilling a low shot home to level the scores, after Derby had taken a 6th minute lead. The visitors again took the lead early in the second half, but Viduka, who was the only likely source of goals for the home side, popped up with a timely equaliser.

Tim Cahill was also on target for Everton, but his 27th minute headed goal was not enough to get past Manchester United, who won 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to a late penalty by Ronaldo.

Brett Emerton played a full game, as Blackburn Rovers lost 1-0 at home against Chelsea, while Harry Kewell played 76 minutes and set up Liverpool-s opening goal, as Liverpool won 4-1 at home against Portsmouth.

There was a battle of the Aussies at Riverside Stadium, with Lucas Neill-s ball to Scott Parker in the dying minutes finishing in the winner for West Ham, a 2-1 win over Mark Schwarzer-s Middlesbrough.

Vince Grella won-t be looking at memorable Christmas, after receiving a red card just before half time in Torino clash with Napoli. Luckily for Grella, his Torino held on for a 1-1 draw. Marco Bresciano didn-t play for Palermo.

Celtic-s recent run of poor form continued, held to a 1-1 draw with Hibernian, with Scott McDonald playing a full game, but unable to get on the scoresheet. Danny Invincibile also played a full game, as Kilmarnock was held to a 0-0 draw by St Mirren.

Reported Bayern Munich target David Carney played an hour as Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Cardiff City; Richard Garcia played 66 minutes in Hull City-s drew 1-1 away at Charlton Athletic, while Patrick Kisnorbo played a full game as Leicester City drew 1-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

There was also action in Holland, with Luke Wilkshire again playing a full game as FC Twente continued its good season with a 2-1 win over Heerenveen; Jason Culina played a full game in PSV Eindhoven-s 4-1 win over FC Utrecht, while Eddie Bosnar was replaced in the 77th minute, as SC Heracles lost 2-1 against FC Groningen.