Stoke City saw their decade-long stretch in the Premier League come to a demoralising end with a 1-2 home defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday confirming the former’s relegation.
FT: The Potters have lost. Defeat means we will be playing Championship football next season (1-2) #SCFC
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 5, 2018
Despite going ahead through an immaculate Xherdan Shaqiri freekick shortly before the interval, a second-half salvo from Palace duo James McArthur and Patrick van Aanholt ultimately consigned Paul Lambert’s side to their sorrowful state.
The result leaves the Potters rock bottom and a fateful five points adrift of safety, having also played two more games than 17th-placed Huddersfield.
Palace on the other hand mathematically sealed their Premier League status for another season, becoming the first team to avoid the drop from the top-flight despite losing their opening seven league games since 1899/00 (Liverpool, in case you were wondering).
PREMIER LEAGUE STATUS SECURED ❤💙
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) May 5, 2018
Normally I like to celebrate when I score but I’d like to apologise to Stoke City and their fans, I wish my goal didn’t relegate you, but you’ll be back soon! Great club with great fans 👊🏽
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) May 5, 2018
Elsewhere, a resurgent West Brom rallied to pull off a stonking 1-0 win over Tottenham at the Hawthorns to keep their slim chances of avoiding the drop alive going into their final game of the season.
A 92nd-minute winner from Jake Livermore ensures that Darren Moore’s rejuvenated mob will live to fight another day – though only because Southampton conceded a 94th-minute equaliser against Everton in the late kick-off.
The Baggies remain unbeaten in the five matches since they sacked Alan Pardew, beating Manchester United and Spurs, and registering a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the process.
What a job Big Darren is doing, eh?
So, in conclusion, other than Stoke being jettisoned today, the rest of the Premier League relegation triumvirate is still in flux.
After 90 minutes of West Brom v Tottenham – #WBA were down.
After 94 minutes of Everton v Southampton – #WBA were down.
Yet thanks to two late, late goals – they could be alive going into the final day of the season!
⚽️ https://t.co/U9FIE28iga#EVESOU #WBATOT pic.twitter.com/ZCf4PUHBTu
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) May 5, 2018
West Brom and Swansea remain inside the bottom three, but Southampton are only above the line on goal difference and the Swans also have a game in hand – against Southampton on Tuesday.
Image: BBC Sport
Flipping heck. This is getting complex.