Newcastle United secured another morale-boosting result as they came from behind to draw 2-2 at Liverpool on Rafael Benitez's return to Anfield.

Newcastle's hopes of avoiding relegation had been boosted by a 3-0 victory over Swansea and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in their last two games, and while this draw keeps them 19th, the nature of their comeback provides hope ahead of their final three matches.

Liverpool, without Mamadou Sakho due to a UEFA investigation into a potential anti-doping violation, took just 67 seconds to open the scoring when Daniel Sturridge controlled an Alberto Moreno pass before turning to fire home.

They went 2-0 up when Adam Lallana sent a superb shot past Karl Darlow into the top corner of the net on 30 minutes, but Papiss Cisse pulled one back shortly after the restart when Simon Mignolet failed to collect a Vurnon Anita cross.

After Sturridge saw a penalty appeal turned down and Cisse missed a good chance for the visitors, Newcastle produced an equaliser through Jack Colback's deflected strike.

That proved enough to secure a point that sees Newcastle trailing neighbours Sunderland on goal difference alone, although Sam Allardyce's men have two games in hand, while Norwich, now one point clear of the relegation zone, have one game in hand.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a brace as Manchester City edged closer to Champions League qualification with a 4-0 victory at home to Stoke.

After a tame start, the hosts took the lead on 35 minutes when Fernando headed home a Jesus Navas corner.

They doubled their advantage shortly before the break when Ryan Shawcross pulled back Iheanacho in the area and Sergio Aguero stepped up to convert the penalty, taking his Premier League goal tally for the season to 23.

Manuel Pellegrini's men extended their advantage on 64 minutes when Pablo Zabaleta broke down the flank and squared for Iheanacho to slot home.

The Nigerian capped an impressive outing with his second goal 11 minutes later when he latched on to a Wilfried Bony pass and skipped around substitute keeper Jakob Haugaard to slot home.

City have now claimed four wins and a draw in their last five league games and the victory sees them move five points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

Chelsea got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory at Bournemouth as Eden Hazard netted his first league goals of the season.

Chelsea had suffered back-to-back defeats to Swansea and Manchester City in the Premier League but secured all three points against a Bournemouth side whose success at Stamford Bridge in December had helped Jose Mourinho towards the exit door.

Guus Hiddink's men took just five minutes to seize the advantage, with Cesc Fabregas -- who provided assists for three goals -- setting up fellow Spain international Pedro for a neat finish.

Hazard extended their lead on 34 minutes with a fine low strike, but Bournemouth reduced the deficit shortly afterwards through Tommy Elphick's header.

Chelsea ended Bournemouth's hopes of a comeback on 71 minutes when Fabregas slid a pass through for Willian to clip the ball over Artur Boruc, and Hazard netted a second in the final moments of the game from Nemanja Matic's layoff.

Southampton kept their European hopes alive with a 4-2 win away to already-relegated Aston Villa.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman said this week that his side must win all four of their remaining games if they are to have any chance of playing in the Europa League next season, and they came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes when Shane Long burst through on goal before hitting the underside of the crossbar.

They did not have to wait much longer for the opener, with Long heading home from a Ryan Bertrand cross on 15 minutes.

Dusan Tadic added a second on 39 minutes after being presented with a simple finish by Long, although Villa pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Ashley Westwood.

Villa, targeting their first point since Feb. 6, fell 3-1 behind when Tadic fired home from 20 yards, but Westwood struck his second of the game on 85 minutes to provide hope of a consolation.

However, Saints added a fourth through Sadio Mane's 94th-minute header as Villa went down to a 10th consecutive Premier League defeat.