Everton lose ground on top 3 in Premier League

LONDON (AP) - Everton lost ground on the Premier League's top three after being held to a 1-1 draw at last-place Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, marking the winless hosts' worst start to a season in 21 years.

Sunderland earlier escaped with a 1-1 draw from its north-east derby against Newcastle thanks to Demba Ba's 86th-minute own goal, denying the visitors a hard-earned victory after playing more than an hour with 10 men following Cheick Tiote's dismissal.

Everton fell behind to a deflected strike by Junior Hoilett in the second minute, but equalised when Sylvain Distin's header hit the post and rebounded in off the shoulder of QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the 33rd.

The visitors' hopes of matching Saturday's wins by Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City above them were dashed, though, when Steven Pienaar was sent off on the hour mark for two yellow cards.